Four matches go the distance as U of R Men's Tennis falls 7-2 to No. 27 Brandeis

Image credit: Ron Stephany
Image credit: Ron Stephany

REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Men's Tennis team was able to get in a match with No. 27 Brandeis University this week before the rain fell at the Verdieck Tennis Center.

This forced the Bulldogs to play back-to-back days and after a long four plus hour match with four singles matches that went the distance Brandeis would eventually come out on top 7-2. 

Redlands got themselves in an early hole 3-0 combining for 11 games in their three doubles matches.  Nils Plutat (Sauerlach, Bavaria, Germany) and Bryce Keim (Spartanburg, S.C.) paired up together at the top spot falling 8-3, Jack Mattox (Mercer Island, WA) and Stefan Hester (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA) came together at No. 2 falling 8-4 and Luca Davidorf (Atlanta, GA) and Josh Davydov (Bellevue, WA) would get paired up at No. 3 also falling 8-4.

In singles the Maroon and Grey created some pushback picking up two points from the top two spots.  Plutat pulled out a tight three setter at No. 1 4-6, 6-4, 10-6 and Hester managed to also grind from a set down at No. 2 also going the distance winning 1-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5. 

Keim almost made it a clean sweep at the top also coming from a set down to force a third at No. 3.  But the comeback fell short as he would fall 6-3, 5-7, 10-8.  Davidorf had a solid match at No. 6 also needing a third set.  Compared to the other three matches he won the opening frame 6-4, but couldn't carry the momentum as he would drop the next two 6-4, 10-3.  Mattox at No. 4 was broken in each set despite a battle going down 6-4, 6-4 and Davydov would also fall in straights 6-3, 6-0.             

Redlands returns to the courts next week, February 28 when they host No. 18 Mary Washington beginning at 12:00pm.