(Courtesy of Trinity Athletics)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- The Trinity men's tennis team is the recipient of a number of awards from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).
Assistant Coach George Rivers was selected as the ITA NCAA Division III West Region Assistant Men's Coach of the Year. Coach Rivers is in his fourth season on the Tiger staff and has been invaluable in contributions to the team's success. Working with Head Coach Russell McMindes, Coach Rivers has helped lead the Tigers to the NCAA Division III Playoffs and to Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships each year of his tenure.
Wilson Lambeth received two awards from the ITA, the Division III West Region Senior Player of the Year and the Most Improved Senior Player. Lambeth posted a 15-7 singles record this season and is ranked sixth in the West Region by the ITA. Lambeth and junior Jordan Pitts are the top-ranked doubles team in the Region with an 18-4 record and will be headed to the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships May 24-26 at Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Tiger tandem will compete in the 16-team Doubles Championship, and each player will represent Trinity in the 32-draw Singles Championship.
Earlier, Lambeth was elected the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Men's Tennis Player of the Year. He helped the Tigers capture their 10th consecutive SCAC Championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Playoffs.
Last fall, Lambeth and Pitts won the ITA Southwest Doubles Championship and qualified for the ITA Cup. In 2017, Lambeth garnered three accolades from the ITA. He was tabbed as the National and West Region Player to Watch, as well as receiving All-America honors in doubles.
The Tiger men's team was presented the ITA West Region Community Service Award. The team assisted with Boots on the Court, which is organized by Trinity Hall of Famer and former top-ranked pro Dick Stockton. Trinity's men's and women's teams joined in conducting tennis clinics for members of the military and their families.
Trinity team members also assisted with Special Olympics activities and TU Smashers Kids Club, where children age 13 and under "came for fun and free tennis lessons," conducted by the Tiger men's and women's players and coaches.
After winning the SCAC Championship, the 13th-ranked Tiger men advanced to their 10th NCAA Tournament in a row. Trinity traveled to Claremont, California, and claimed a second-round victory over #26 Whitman (WA) College. Top-ranked host Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (CA) Colleges ended the Tigers' season in the third round. Trinity completed its dual-match season with a 17-10 record.
