Mobile, Alabama - The Tiger doubles team of Mackenzie Knoop and Thavindra Ekanayake lost in their opening match at the ITA Small College National Championships on Wednesday.

Trinity advanced to the ITA tournament by winning the ITA Southwest Regional Doubles Championship on September 23.  The Tigers hosted the regional tournament, during which Knoop also finished second in singles play.

Knoop and Ekanayake lost 4-6, 2-6 in today's match, which was a play-in match to reach the main draw competition.  The Tigers are eliminated from contention, missing a chance to become Trinity's first ITA National Doubles Champions since Heather McGowan and Hayley Dittus in 2003.

Trinity is led by first-year Head Coach Jacob McMindes.  Coach McMindes has been with the Tiger program for four seasons, having served the previous three as an assistant coach.  Last year, he helped the Trinity women's team to its first Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship since 2006, and the program's first NCAA Playoff appearance in four seasons.