The University of Redlands men's tennis team completed a busy week of non-conference action by rallying for an incredible 5-4 epic win over No. 34 Christopher Newport University (VA) on Friday. After facing a 2-4 deficit, the Bulldogs clawed their way back to tie it up before first-year Thomas Reznik (Belmont, CA) captured the deciding win at No. 4.
In doubles, junior Brad Cummins (Rancho Mirage, CA) and sophomore Brysl Libao (Redlands, CA) put Redlands on the board first with their 8-3 victory at the top slot.
However, the Captains answered with wins at Nos. 2 and 3, as highlighted by a tough tiebreaker against senior Chase Lipscomb (Irvine, CA) and junior Andrew Leahy (Claremont, CA) at the third spot.
Nonetheless, Redlands evened the tally at two apiece with Libao's straight-set showing at No. 5 singles.
But CNU continued to push and seemingly grabbed the momentum with back-to-back victories at Nos. 1 and 3.
Now down 2-4, the Maroon and Gray faced must-win scenarios in every remaining match to pull out the positive outcome. Leahy did his part with a gritty, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 result at the No. 2 slot before first-year Andrew Yip (Honolulu, HI) kept the Bulldogs' hopes alive by defeating his No. 6 opponent, 6-4, 7-5.
With the score tied at four-all, Redlands looked to Reznik at No. 4 to complete the comeback by stepping up under pressure for the 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4) victory.
Redlands (2-2) faces Haverford College on Tuesday, March 12, at 2 p.m. on Verdieck Courts.