The No. 34 University of Redlands women's tennis team took on Division II, Biola University, on Friday in a non-conference showdown on Verdieck Courts. Despite a valiant effort, the Bulldogs fell in a 4-5 decision to the Eagles.
The Maroon and Gray came out swinging and snagged two doubles points for a 2-1 lead. The first-year tandem of Kendall Bolock (Yucaipa, CA) and Gabby Rockwood (Park City, UT) made quick work at the No. 3 spot with an opening 8-0 victory. After dropping No. 1 doubles, senior Jackie Lacy (Palm Desert, CA) and junior Karen Kobayashi (Sapporo, Japan) rallied to take No. 2 by a score of 8-4.
Despite the Eagles taking the first game in singles to tie things up at 2-2, the Bulldogs battled back to win the subsequent two matches.
Bolock hailed victorious over her competitor at No. 3, 7-5, 6-1 while junior Lexi Lehman (Scottsdale, AZ) followed with a hard-fought win at No. 4, 6-3, 6-4 for the team to go up 4-2.
The Bulldogs needed one more win to secure the victory; however, the Eagles took care of business at Nos. 2, 6, and 1 to win the match.
Redlands (1-1) squares off against No. 30 Christopher Newport University (VA) on Tuesday, March 6, at 2 p.m. on Verdieck Courts.