The No. 35 University of Redlands women's tennis team welcomed the 19th-ranked Brandeis University (MA) Judges to Verdieck Courts for a non-conference tilt on Thursday afternoon. The Bulldogs battled the formidable foe but fell short of the upset in a 2-7 decision.
Amidst threatening skies, the teams squeezed in the match, with Brandeis earning the first point at No. 3 doubles.
However, sophomore Sarah Ikioka (Wailuku, HI) and junior Elizabeth Johnson (Portland, OR) impressed at the No. 1 slot with an 8-4 win to even the overall tally.
Nonetheless, the Judges won at No. 2 to take a 2-1 lead through the doubles competition.
In singles, Brandeis maintained the momentum and allowed Redlands to gain only one point. Ikioka took down her East Coast opponent at the top slot by scores of 6-3, 6-1.
Redlands (3-1) heads to Texas for three matches on Friday, March 2, and Saturday, March 3. The Bulldogs begin the busy weekend with an 11 a.m. CT showdown against No. 16 Trinity University on Friday. Play continues on Saturday against East Texas Baptist University and Southwestern University.
