Sumter, South Carolina - The Trinity women's doubles team of Marie Lutz and Liza Southwick finished in sixth place at the USTA/Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division III National Small College Doubles Championships.

"The women's tennis team had a great showing at the Small College Nationals," said Head Coach Gretchen Rush. "We had a tough draw, and played some very evenly-matched teams. We lost two Super Tiebreakers - one to the finalists, and one to Skidmore."

Lutz and Southwick started off Friday with a 6-4, 6-4 consolation round victory over Alicia Beck and Jillian Wallace of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. In the fifth-place matchup, Madie Benn and Michelle Fuca of Skidmore (NY) College prevailed in a tight contest. The Tiger tandem won the opening set 4-6, Skidmore took the second 6-2, and then won the Super Tiebreaker 10-5.

"Maybe it didn't turn out how we would have planned, but I think we worked really well together," said Southwick. "We had a lot of fun competing together at such a high-level tournament. We are excited about what we can do in the upcoming spring season."

Lutz echoed similar sentiments: "I think as a team we played well together. This is our second year of playing together, and every year it gest better. I am excited to see what future tournaments hold for us."

The Trinity pair opened the event Wednesday with a straight sets win in a play-in match over a team from Lewis and Clark College. Thursday's quarterfinals had Southwick and Lutz falling just short, with a Super Tiebreaker, to the eventual finalists from Emory University. Last year, Southwick and Lutz finished in fifth place at the national event.

"We definitely got shwon some areas we need to improve on, but overall, I think the girls played well, and fought hard. They have a lot to be proud of."