Last Saturday, both the men’s and women’s tennis teams finished up their regular season play with 9-0 wins against Hardin-Simmons University.
On the men’s side in singles play, senior Max Frey won 6-1, 6-1 at No.1, while junior Erick DelaFuente won 6-1, 6-3 at No. 2 and first year Charlie Curtis won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3. Senior Ben Carroll, sophomore Arvind Fernando and senior Franklin Davis won at No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.
“The team did really well,” Davis said. “It was the last home match for the seniors and it was our last home match of the season, so that motivated us to perform. We went out and took care of business.”
Frey and DelaFuente pulled off an 8-4 victory at the No. 1 position in doubles. Curtis and first year Aaron Skinner won 8-2 at the No. 2 position and Carroll and Davis won 8-6 at No. 3.
“Max Frey played really well,” Davis said. “He’s been a big part of Trinity’s program the past four years. He played very sharp and really took it to the No. 1 Hardin-Simmons’ player.”
On the women’s side in singles play, at No. 1 first year Mackenzie Knoop won 7-6, 6-1, while junior Thavindra Ekanayake won 6-1, 6-3 at No. 2 and senior Katie Griffith won 6-1, 6-4 at No. 3. At the No. 4 position, sophomore Kylie Hornbeck defeated her opponent 6-0, 6-0, while sophomore Lavinia Bendandi won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 5 and senior Melissa Ponder won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 6.
“It went really well,” said sophomore Stephanie Williamson. “It was a sad day because it was the seniors’ last home match, but everyone played really well and went out to play for them which was real cool. Everyone did their part real well and did what they needed to.”
In doubles play, Knoop and Ekanayake won 8-2 at No. 1, Griffith and Hornbeck won 8-0 at No. 2 and senior Kassie Seger and Williamson won 8-2 at No. 3.
“It was just a good competitive performance,” said head coach Russell McMindes. “They played real well and they were the better team, but they went out and took care of business. It really allowed them to build some momentum going into the conference tournament this week.”
Both teams are the No. 1 seed heading into the SCAC Championships this weekend in North Little Rock, Arkansas, with play beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 27.
“It’s an exciting time of the year on both sides, “McMindes said. “The guys have won the last two years and are looking to keep that train going. It’s mostly just about going in there and doing what we’re capable of doing. The girls haven’t won conference in a few years, so we’re looking forward to the event. If the girls go out and enjoy it and play to their abilities, it should be an exciting tournament. We’re excited to see where we go from here.”
