ABILENE, Texas - Trinity University Men's Tennis earned a split in its action Sunday at the Eager Tennis Pavilion on the campus of NCAA I Abilene Christian University, defeating Tyler Junior College, ranked second in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association junior college rankings, in exhibition play.
The Tigers (12-7) earned the doubles point in the morning's affair with the Apaches as the recently-formed duo of Christian Settles (Claremont, Calif. / Claremont) and Cameron Krimbill (Phoenix, Ariz. / Desert Mountain) completed the early-session comeback, 6-4, after a quick setback in line two, followed by the 6-3 victory by Eric Liao (Taipei, Taiwan / Boca Prep) and Dalton Locke (Humble, Texas / Kingwood) in the third line.
After the bottom two slots in the lineup went to Tyler, Alessio Azzalini (Rome, Italy / Istituto Visconti) drew the match even, 2-2, with a fierce second-set rally from a 5-2 deficit with five straight games to go along with his first-set 6-4 mark.
Wilson Hamilton (Austin, Texas / ATA Prep) had a comeback of his own in line-three play as he put together 6-3 and 6-1 victories following a 6-2 stumble in his opening frame. Soon after, line one was ceded to the Apaches leaving behind a 3-3 deadlock.
With the responsibility to clinch laid at his feet, Liao continued to battle from the fourth line after falling 6-2 in his second set to force a third. The Tiger rookie took control late with a 7-5 output to collect Trinity's victory.
In the afternoon match with Abilene Christian, Settles and Krimbill again had a quality performance put together but were not able to see it through as the rackets were dropped in favor of the Wildcats. The Tigers had three superbreaker opportunities after the match had been clinched singles: Cameron Goldstein (Dallas, Texas / Episcopal) came away with a 10-4 tally for Trinity's lone match point.
Up Next
Trinity Men's Tennis visits NCAA I University of the Incarante Word Friday morning, followed by its return to Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference action Saturday at Austin College. Both matches are scheduled for 11 a.m. CT starts.
