The No. 30 University of Redlands women's tennis team battled it out with the No. 17 University of Mary Washington (VA) Eagles on Thursday on Verdieck Courts. After suffering a doubles sweep, the Bulldogs stayed in the fight in singles but ultimately suffered a 3-6 loss.
Although the Maroon and Gray fell short in all three doubles matches, the Nos. 1 and 3 duos pushed their Eagle counterparts to a score of 8-6.
Redlands faced an uphill battle in singles that continued when UMW won at No. 3. However, first-year Halle Martinucci (Burlingame, CA) kept the Bulldogs in it with her 7-5, 6-1 decision at No. 6.
But the momentum shifted back in favor of the Eagles, who secured the fifth point at No. 1.
Nonetheless, first-year Mia Fitzgerald (Kauai, HI) and sophomore Karen Kobayashi (Sappora, Japan) came out on top in their respective matches. Fitzgerald captured a 7-5, 6-1 win at No. 2, while Kobayashi rallied for a 6-4, 1-6, 6-0 triumph at No. 5.
Redlands (2-3) strives for a quick rebound by taking on No. 23 Christopher Newport University (VA) on Friday, March 8, at 12 noon on Verdieck Courts.