REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Men's Tennis team had a tough match-up against No. 12 Bowdoin College recently falling 8-1 at the Verdieck Tennis Center.
Redlands, who improves to 3-2 was led by first-year Omar Khayat (Irvine, CA) who picked up the lone point for the Bulldogs winning at No. 6 singles.
The Maroon and Grey fell behind 3-0 after doubles despite competing with the Polar Bears. Nils Plutat (Sauerlach, Bavaria, Germany) and Bryce Keim (Spartanburg, N.C.) dropped an 8-5 decision at the top spot, Stefan Hester (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA) and Jack Mattox (Mercer Island, WA) fell 8-6 at No. 2 and Luca Davidorf (Atlanta, GA) and Khayat would fall 8-3.
In singles UR created some pushback forcing three matches to go the distance. Plutat at the top spot battled Tristan Bradley, the No. 2 ranked player in Division III and almost pulled off the upset falling 7-6 (4), 5-7, 9-7. Keim also forced a three-setter at No. 3 against Pieter Breuker who is ranked No. 43 in Division III dropping 6-3, 1-6, 9-7. The last three-setter came at No. 6 from Khayat who came from a set down to beat J. Flores 2-6, 6-3, 11-9. This was the only point picked up by the U of R on the afternoon.
Hester had chances in his match at No. 2 as he took on Reid Staples, ranked No. 4 in Division III and he only dropped a break in each set falling 6-4, 6-3. The other matches included Mattox at No. 4 falling 6-0, 6-3 and Donovan Lilov (San Diego, CA) at No. 5 dropping a 6-2, 6-3 decision.
Coaches' Shoutout
"Omar Khayat battled his way to victory and showed a lot of heart. He has been working really hard in practice every day and I couldn't be happier for him. Super proud of his effort out there today."
Coaches' Thoughts
"Bowdoin was a little bit better today in the big moments of the match. A handful of the matches came down to a few points and they could have gone either way. Going down 3-0 after doubles against a tough team like that can't happen. All in all we took a lot of positives away from this match and I am really proud with how we compoeted. Excited to be back out ont he court against Whitman."