The No. 22 University of Redlands women's tennis team came up against a formidable foe in No. 34 Wesleyan University (CT) on Friday afternoon, resulting in tough 4-5 loss for the Bulldogs.  With the Cardinals playing their way up in the rankings, the Maroon and Gray faced an early deficit that provided just enough momentum for the visiting team to prevail in the non-conference showdown.

In doubles, Wesleyan scored first with a win at No.2 but the Bulldogs answered back with a hard-fought 9-7 victory by the No. 1 duo of senior Ceara Sumida (Hilo, HI) and junior Natalie Etchegaray (Placentia, CA).  Down 6-7, the feisty duo rallied to win the next three games, including a break of serve at love for the victory. 

However, the Cardinals took the early 2-1 lead with another triumph at the No. 3 spot.

Not to be outdone, Redlands looked to the steady contributions of junior Lauren Villanueva (El Segundo, CA) to even the count with her 6-2, 6-2 thrashing of her No. 5 opponent.

Tied at two apiece, the teams battled it out in the subsequent singles matches, with Wesleyan prevailing at Nos. 1, 3, and 4 to snag the deciding and fifth point.

The Bulldogs gained successful outcomes at Nos. 2 and 6, with Sumida rallying for a 6-4, 0-6, 6-4 win and senior Maddie Morton (Henderson, NV) edging out her opponent, 6-4, 4-6, 10-5.

Redlands (6-3) returns to action on Saturday, March 14, when it hosts No. 14 Sewanee (TN) at 10 a.m.  Fans are encouraged to join the Bulldogs for USTA Campus Kids' Day on Verdieck Courts.