Sumter, South Carolina - A Trinity doubles team has captured an Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Championship for the second consecutive year as Adam Krull and Matt Tyer secured the USTA/ITA Division III Small College title.
"We were able to win the tournament because we always believed in ourselves and each other," revealed Krull. "When we found ourseleves in tight moments, we stayed aggressive and stuck to our game plan. We couldn't have done it without the support of our coaches, families, and teammates. They pushed us to work hard and improve in practice. Matt and I have great communication on the court, and we work well together. We bring out the best in each other."
Krull and Tyer won the USTA/ITA Division III National Small College Men's Doubles Championship Friday with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Eric Roddy and Jack Gray of Sewanee: The University of the South (TN) at the Palmetto Tennis Center.
"Knowing that my partner could cover play from the baseline allowed me to move freely, and apply pressure at the net," said Tyer. "Our teammates and coaches brought us to the championships. We believed in each other, but having the support back in San Antonio and on the court, really made us pull through, stay intense, and make some much-needed comebacks."
Head Coach Russell McMindes has now guided his Trinity players to a third national doubles title. In 2014, Jordan Mayer and Aaron Skinner emerged as the ITA National Men's Champions. Bobby Cocanougher and Cory Kowal won the top men's prize in 2010. Additionally, Skinner won the ITA Singles crown in 2012. Trinity's men and women have now brought home a total of 12 ITA National Singles and Doubles Championships since 1997.
"It's a great honor to have back-to-back champs," said Coach McMindes. "It just shows that the program is continuing to strive for excellence. We are trying to ensure this current generation understands the history of the program, and does their part to make sure that reputation is current."
Up next for Krull and Tyer will be a matchup on Saturday in the “Super Bowl.” The Tigers will take on the Division II champions Jui Mao and Ofir Ginat of Concordia (NY) College at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Division II, III, NAIA and JUCO Singles and Doubles champions will play to determine overall winners, which will be determined Sunday.
"Our doubles played very well," continued Coach McMindes. "They came out with the proper respect for the opponent, and were very focused. They started clean and aggressive and maintained pressure. They dictated play throughout and weathered a few tight games to maintain the comfortable lead. Sewanee played better in the second, but our guys responded to every challenge."
Earlier in the day, senior Paxton Deuel lost a tight three-set consolation match to Kai Yuen Leung of Skidmore (NY) College. Deuel came up short 7-5, 4-6, 6-1. He will now play for seventh place at 10:30 a.m. ET Saturday against Abhishek Alla of Carnegie Mellon (PA) University.
