The No. 22 University of Redlands women's tennis team faced off against a formidable foe in non-conference action on Tuesday afternoon, as it welcomed No. 6 Bowdoin College (ME) to Verdieck Courts. Despite quality showings by junior Natalie Etchegaray in both of her matches, the Bulldogs fell short by a score of 2-7.
The Polar Bears jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after winning at Nos. 2 and 3 doubles.
Redlands rallied for an important 8-6 win at the top slot, as Etchegaray and senior Ceara Sumida (Hilo, HI) stepped up for the Bulldogs.
However, Bowdoin wasn't fazed by the defeat, as it fired off four-consecutive wins in straight sets during the singles matches, thus securing the deciding point for the overall triumph.
Etchegaray battled for a quality 6-3, 7-5 showing at the top slot for Redlands, while Sumida put up a valiant fight at No. 2 but came up short in a gritty match, 0-6, 7-6(4), 11-9.
Redlands (6-5) strives to rebound when it hosts No. 29 Whitman College (WA) on Friday, March 20, at 3 p.m. on Verdieck Courts.