ROME, Ga. – Trinity University Men's Tennis is sending one singles player and one doubles team to Georgia to take part in the ITA Cup - this fall's premier D-III tournament that brings together the champions from the ITA Regional Championship.
Trinity swept the field at last week's Trinity-held Southwest ITA Regional Championship, with both singles and doubles winning their respective tournaments. The Tigers now aim to make their mark on the national stage, attempting to overcome stiff competition from some of the top programs in the country.
Trinity's dominance in the regional championship was on display, with all-Trinity finals ensuring the school a shot at national success. A notable run from
Jared Perry (Tucson, Ariz. / Catalina Foothills) led him to the finals of the singles draw; however, it was
Kishan Kersten (Plano, Texas / West) who ultimately prevailed in a thrilling three-set victory over his teammate.
The doubles tournament saw equally exciting action, with
Ethan Flores (Houston, Texas / Clear Lake) and
Roshin Kamath (League City, Texas / Clear Springs) taking the top spot after defeating Perry and Kersten at the
Butch Newman Tennis Center on campus.
Founded in 1986, the ITA Cup features players from across the country, with the winner earning a spot in the cross-divisional 'Super Bowl', where DII, DIII, NAIA, and JUCO athletes compete to crown an ultimate champion. The ITA Cup's format guarantees multiple days of action, with a 'consolation' draw offered for those knocked out in the opening round, ensuring players compete in more than one match and have a chance to improve their national ranking.
Trinity head coach
Russell McMindes enters his 17th year with the program and has a strong history of success in the tournament, having guided three men's doubles teams to ITA Cup titles. His success has continued throughout his tenure, with the last 15 seasons producing a dual-match record of 281–147 (.657). He continues to lead confidently, with the men's team ranked No. 21 and a determination to climb into the top 10.
The draw, held on Monday, was not favorable for the Tigers, with tough opening matchups ahead for both singles and doubles. Kersten has drawn Denison senior and last year's runner-up Ethan Green, with the match set for October 16 at 9AM. A win would likely mean a fixture against Gage Gohl of Gustavus Adolphus - a two-time ITA singles All-American. Kersten faces a difficult path, but his recent form and past success would suggest he is more than up to the challenge.
The doubles pairing of Flores and Kamath has drawn the University of Chicago for their opening matchup. The No. 2 seeds will provide Trinity with a challenging first-round test; however, a win for the Tigers would result in a second-round clash against Hamilton or Emory. Kamath and Flores will need to bring their A-game, but their performance in the Regional Championship suggests they are ready to take on the tough D-III field.
Trinity has a great opportunity to showcase its quality at the ITA Cup this Thursday and make a strong push toward the weekend finals.
