RICHARDSON, TX – The University of Redlands Women's Tennis team picked up their biggest win on the season Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Division III National Championships coming in an upset win over No. 14 Trinity (TX) 5-4.
Redlands keeps their post season alive advancing to the Round of 16 after putting together one of the most epic comebacks in program history. They were down 4-1 along with the Tigers holding three match points on their serve at No. 3 singles, but somehow found a way to grind themselves into the third round of the championships. In program history the Maroon and Grey have qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championships twelve times, but the last time they made it to the Round of 16 was back in the 2008 and 2009 seasons under then Head Coach Jim Ducey.
It was a battle right from the opening serve in doubles with Trinity picking up a quick point at No. 1 over Gabby Rockwood (Park City, UT) and Kendall Bolock (Yucaipa, CA) (8-1). They then grabbed their second point on the day at No. 2 as Liv Rockwood (Park City, UT) and Mia Fitzgerald (Kilauea, HI) would fall 8-5. But the Tigers wouldn't clinch the clean sweep as the University of Redlands freshman duo consisting of Kiana Brady (Hermosa Beach, CA) and Christine O'Brien (Leawood, KS) would come together for an 8-6 grind at No. 3 to keep it a one-point margin.
The match then moved over to singles and that's where the fireworks started. L. Rockwood after dropping the opening set 6-2 at No. 1 provided some pressure in the second set, but was broken late allowing Olivia Kim to come away with the third point for Trinity. Her sister G. Rockwood would then finish next at No. 6 and was able to storm out in front taking the early lead 6-2, but couldn't keep the momentum as Ellie Hughes would come back to win the next two frames 6-4, 6-1 pulling Trinity a point away from the clinch.
These two points though would be the last ones taken by the Tigers as the Bulldogs would storm back winning the next four matches, three of which went to three setters. Bolock sparked the comeback at No. 3 splitting the first two sets 6-1, 1-6 and then found herself down in the third set 5-3, 40-15 with her opponent Ruth Hill serving for the match. She had to battle through three match points, but this didn't deter the junior as she would rally to win the next four games to pick up the second point for UR.
This then led to Brady at No. 2 who would also split her first two sets 6-2, 4-6 before rolling 6-2 in the third to move the score to 4-3. It then came down to the two seniors Fitzgerald and Lexi Lehman (Scottsdale, AZ) at No. 4 and No. 5 singles. Fitzgerald kept the attack on for the Bulldogs having to play a ninety-minute first set, which she would win in a breaker 7-6 (6) and that then led to a crushing 6-2 second that tied the match up at 4-4.
It then all came down to Lehman at No. 5 who got off to a strong start winning the opening set 6-4. This did not carry over into the second though as her opponent Elodie Richard would force a third winning 6-0, creating some pushback. But Lehman would hold steady and regrouped in the decisive frame grinding her opponent down en route to winning 6-2, leading to her teammates rushing the court, while sending the University of Redlands into the Round of 16.
Lexi Lehman – Match Point (Clinches Upset)
"Our whole team has worked so hard to get to this point," explained Lehman. "It was awesome to see how we pulled through today in order to extend our season. I was extremely happy to have been able to clinch the upset since this is my last season, and to have my teammates rush the court after we won was really special. I wanted to leave it all out there today and to do my part to help the team get the win. I am so proud to be a part of this program and we are excited for our season to continue in the Sweet 16 tomorrow."
Redlands will now faceoff against Pomona-Pitzer tomorrow, Sunday, May 15 in the Round of 16 beginning at 10:00am.