PASADENA, Calif. – The University of Redlands Men's Tennis team attempted to come away with an upset Friday afternoon and despite staying close early was unable to pull it off as they would fall 7-2 to No. 15 Caltech.
Redlands has now dropped two in a row, but both coming to teams ranked inside the Top-15. They are now 8-7, 2-2 SCIAC.
The Bulldogs were able to grab a point in doubles to keep the match tight and had an opportunity to take a lead into singles as the top two matches went the distance. CIT picked up a point at No. 3 doubles as Donovan Lilov (San Diego, CA) and Josh Nelson (Montrose, NY) would fall 8-4. Stefan Hester and Jack Mattox (Mercer Island, WA) would get that point right back though coming at the top spot taking out the No. 6 ranked Division III West Region team 8-7 (3). The advantage then came down to the No. 2 team of Andrew Yip (Honolulu, HI) and Thomas Reznik (Belmont, CA) who battled into a tiebreaker only to fall 8-7 (4).
In singles the Beavers took five of six but were tested with four matches being decided in three sets. Hester (7-5, 6-2) and Lilov (7-5, 6-3) both fell in straights back to back giving Caltech a 4-2 advantage. Reznik at No. 6 had a chance to extend the match forced to come from behind taking his opponent to a third se, but couldn't keep the momentum falling 6-2, 4-6, 6-2. Nelson followed at No. 5, but found himself up a set at 6-4, but couldn't pull it out as he would fall 6-1, 6-2 over the next two frames.
Mattox was then up next at No. 2 and he too went to a third but found success for the second point on the day winning 6-3, 1-6, 6-3. The last match on was Yip at No. 3 who fought to force a third set. After getting broken late in the first at 7-5 was able to come away with a win in a breaker 7-6 (5) extending the match, but was unable to pull out the win falling 10-7.
Redlands returns home to the Verdieck Tennis Courts tomorrow, Saturday, April 9 when they host Occidental College beginning at 10:00am.
Coach's Thoughts
"The match was closer than what the score actually was. I am proud of these guys who continued to battle against a tough team all afternoon. We had our chances but they didn't fall our way. We will get back to it tomorrow against Occidental."
Coach's Shoutout
"Stefan and Jack pulling out the win at No. 1 doubles was outstanding, especially against the No. 6 ranked team in the West Region. Jack then carried that momentum into singles where he continues to add to an impressive freshman resume winning at No. 2. He has been working hard all week and I am looking to see what he can do down the stretch."