San Antonio - The eighth-ranked Trinity men's tennis teams split home matches Sunday with nationally ranked squads from the NCAA Division II and the National Junior College Athletic Association.
The Tigers edged St. Mary's (TX) University 5-4 in the opener. The Rattlers are ranked 35th in the DII poll. Laredo Community College then got past Trinity 5-4 in the second match of the day. Laredo holds a ranking of No. 14 in the NJCAA.
"I was very impressed," admitted Head Coach Russell McMindes. "When I scheduled this doubleheader, Laredo wasn't as strong at that time. They did a good job, and got a few quality recruits. It made it a much more challenging and physically demanding day. I told the guys, 'I was proud of the intensity of the way they competed and went after it.' Win or lose, I was going to be proud of the effort. It was fun to watch. There were physical matches and a lot of grueling three-setters in both dual matches."
Trinity took a 3-0 lead after doubles in the match with St. Mary's. A battle occurred in the No. 1 match, as Trinity's Adam Krull and Matt Tyer defeated their opponents 9-8. Krull and Tyer captured the Division III National Small College Doubles Championship last fall, while Adam Dockery and Brien Galon of St. Mary's competed at the DII event.
Krull gave the Tigers a 4-0 lead by winning No. 2 singles in straight sets. The clincher came at No. 1 singles as Paxton Deuel won a three-setter. St. Mary's won Nos. 3-6 singles to finish out the match.
"Krull and Tyer have seen them a few times, but you have to play well and it was a good one for our guys to get," said Coach McMindes about his top doubles team. "We are still trying to find some momentum in some of our spots, and they have been looking to click and get back to their form from the fall. It was a good result for them to grind their way through that one. The doubles set the tone. That's something we preach a lot about, about getting off to a good start. It was nice for our guys to step up today. It was a good all around result for doubles, and that was the difference. St. Mary's will compete to the end. They are not going to fold and will not give you matches, or big momentum runs. You have to stay focused and see it through."
The Tigers took a 2-1 lead after doubles in the matchup against Laredo Community College. The Palominos won Nos. 5 and 6 singles to take a 3-2 lead. Krull again came through, winning No. 2 singles in straight sets. Deuel fell in a three-setter on the No. 1 line, but Tyer held on to capture the No. 4 match. The last match on the court was No. 3 singles, with Chas Mayer representing the Tigers. Mayer won the first set 7-5, but lost the final two sets 7-5, 6-2 as Laredo gained the victory.
Trinity heads to Georgetown, Texas, next Saturday for two matches at Southwestern University. First up will be a 9:00 a.m. matchup with host Southwestern, followed by a 6:00 p.m. tilt with Hardin-Simmons University. The Tigers return home Wednesday, March 9, to host Rhodes (TN) College at 4:00 p.m.
