GEORGETOWN, Texas – The Trinity University Men's Tennis team secured a solid 5-2 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference victory on the road against the Southwestern University Pirates at the Marvin D. Henderson Sr. Tennis Courts.

The Tigers got off to a roaring start in the doubles, showcasing their intent from the very first serve. First to finish was the dynamic pairing of Jared Perry (Tucson, Ariz. / Catalina Foothills) and Conor Kaczmarczyk (Aurora, Colo. / Regis Jesuit) at #3, who completely dominated their opponents to secure a clinical 6-0 victory and give Trinity the early advantage. Next to follow was the reliable top duo of Rocco Mendez (Las Vegas, Nev. / Odyssey Charter School) and Kishan Kersten (Plano, Texas / West), who powered their way to a 6-2 win at #1 doubles, and in doing so, clinched the doubles point for the Tigers. To wrap up a perfect doubles sweep, the partnership of Aashish Dhanani (Austin, Texas / Westwood) and Eric Liao (Taipei, Taiwan / Boca Prep) fought through a tight battle at #2, emerging victorious in a nail-biting tiebreak 7-6 (8-6).

With momentum firmly on their side, Trinity carried their strong form into singles play. Liao at #6 was first off the court, delivering a commanding performance with a 6-3, 6-0 win to double Trinity's lead. Mendez then extended the advantage at #2, battling hard to take the first set 7-5 before comfortably closing out the second 6-3, and bringing Trinity within one point of sealing the match. It was then left up to Kersten at #4 to deliver the win for the Tigers, as he edged both sets with steely determination, 7-5, 7-5, to hand the vital fourth point to the Tigers.

Southwestern managed to claw back a point as Ryan Warren (Keller, Texas / Connection Academy) at #3 fell in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Jared Perry at #1 then fought valiantly, especially in a tense second-set tiebreak, but ultimately came up short, losing 6-2, 7-6 (10-8), handing the Pirates yet another consolation point. The final match of a successful afternoon was played out by Dhanani at #5. This proved to be the most thrilling encounter of the day, as Dhanani edged the first set 7-5, dropped the second 6-3, but dug deep in the deciding match tiebreak to prevail 10-8. 

Up Next
The Trinity University Men's Tennis Team (11-9) will look to build on this momentum as they return home to host the 9th-ranked Emory University Eagles on Friday, April 18th at 11:00 a.m.