Men’s and women’s tennis participated in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regional Tournaments in San Antonio and Tyler, Texas the past two weekends.

“The whole team worked hard and left their hearts on the court, and I am so proud of my teammates’ success,” said first-year Gabrielle Roe.

The women’s team did well, sending sophomore Mackenzie Knoop and senior Thavi Ekanayake to nationals in the doubles tournament.

“Thavi and I have been working together for a full year.  We’ve been practicing a lot and doing our best,” Knoop said.

Knoop’s results led her to the finals for singles and placed second overall.

Trinity’s women’s team also sent an eight out of the 16 to the next round.

“The team spirit kept us going.  You could really feel the energy as the Tigers pulled each other through,” Roe said.

The men’s team competed last weekend in Tyler, Texas.The tournament suffered delay because of the rain. Three out of the four singles semifinalists and two out of the four doubles semifinalists played until the very last day.

“I knew going into the tournament that the feel would be stronger. I still believe we were the best team there,” said head men’s tennis coach Russell McMindes.

However, their success did not come without challenges.

“We had to overcome the unknown. The years past we have done a good job on representing on the final days. This year took more of an effort,” McMindes said.

Sophomore Aaron Skinner and first-year Jordan Mayer won singles and doubles overall, sending them to ITA’s Small College National Championship.

“I couldn’t have asked for anything else,” Skinner said.  “[The matches] couldn’t have turned out much better and I am so excited for nationals.

In the singles semifinals Skinner played against his doubles partner, Jordan Mayer.

“I’ve never played another kid from Trinity but Jordan definitely played incredibly, as always,” Skinner said.

The match ended with Skinner winning, yet the doubles team continued on to win the doubles title at the tournament.

“In doubles, Jordan and Aaron have played well all semester,” McMindes said. “They are a very dynamic team, and they rose to the occasion every time to play their best, coming out for a big win.”

Oct. 11-14, Skinner, Mayer, Knoop, Ekanayake will be traveling to Mobile, Ala. to compete in the ITA’s Small College National Championship.