The 2010 edition of the University of Redlands women's tennis team battled through challenging matches against nationally-ranked opponents, posting a 13-10 overall and an 8-2 mark in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action. The Bulldogs fought to defend their share of last season's conference crown but came up one win short, settling for second place in the final standings. Redlands garnered a national ranking as a high as No. 9 and continued to press on as one of the top Division III teams in the country by competing in the NCAA Championships for the 10th time in 11 years.
With Head Coach Geoff Roche overseeing the men's and women's teams, the Bulldogs relied on the expertise of Assistant Coach Dave Donn, who took on nearly every responsibility associated with managing and coaching the women's team. While remaining committed to consistently competing at a high level, Redlands thrived under Donn's leadership and knowledge. For his contributions, he was named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association West Region Assistant Coach of the Year.
After stumbling to NAIA power Concordia University, Irvine, in the season opener, the Maroon and Gray rattled off five wins in six outings, which included an undefeated performance in four conference matches. Although Redlands came up short against eventual quarterfinalist, No. 11 Carnegie Mellon University (PA), it captured an important victory over regional rival University of Texas, Tyler, on March 10 by a score of 6-3. The Bulldogs faced an early 1-2 deficit after doubles but fought back to win at five of the six singles matches, securing the non-conference win over the visiting Patriots. Four of these duels came in two sets with junior Sara Yoshinaga (Honolulu, HI) earning the deciding point with her 6-3, 6-3 win at the No. 4 slot.
Mid-March saw a three-match skid against nationally ranked opponents, including a 1-8 decision to No. 3 Williams College (MA), who went on to win the 2010 national title.
Nonetheless, the Bulldogs rallied for a 5-4 win over visiting Wellesley College (MA), followed by back-to-back 8-1 triumphs over regional foes, Whitman College (WA) and UC Santa Cruz. Against Wellesley, Redlands held a 4-3 lead midway through the singles when senior Paige Sumida (Hilo, HI) notched a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win at No. 1 to clinch the victory for the Maroon and Gray.
With a 3-0 lead against UC Santa Cruz, the Bulldogs looked to the solid singles performances of senior Whitney Waters (Austin, TX) at No. 3 and sophomore Nicole Gerentine (Austin, TX) at No. 6. These players coasted to two-set victories to secure the team's fourth and fifth points, respectively.
After a tough loss to No. 9 Gustavus Adolphus College (MN), the Bulldogs returned to SCIAC action with 9-0 sweeps over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges and Whittier College. The April 3 match against Whittier included a solid 6-0, 6-2 showing by senior Carrie McCann (McMinnville, OR) in only her second match of the season. The team also celebrated its Alumnae Day with more than 10 alums who returned to Verdieck Courts for a tennis mixer.
Despite a surprising 3-6 loss to a much-improved and 12th-ranked Chapman University squad, Redlands looked forward to facing No. 8 Pomona-Pitzer Colleges in a showdown of unbeaten conference teams. But the Sagehens boasted more fire power on April 10, handing the Bulldogs a disappointing 2-7 loss. The top doubles duo of Sumida and Waters and No. 4 singles competitor Yoshinaga captured the only points for Redlands, with four tiebreakers going Pomona-Pitzer's way en route to its victory.
Seeded second in the SCIAC Tournament, the Maroon and Gray cruised by the University of La Verne (5-0) and CMS (7-2) to reach the final against Pomona-Pitzer. With a chance to share the coveted conference title once again, Redlands fought to the bitter end but the Sagehens prevailed by a score of 7-2. This time, junior Rachael Miller (Newport Beach, CA) and Yoshinaga teamed up for a doubles win at No. 2, with Gerentine coming from behind at No. 6 for the Bulldogs' second point.
With an impressive 6-2 singles record and an 8-1 showing in doubles, Sumida garnered SCIAC Player of the Year honors for her fourth First-Team nod of her career. In addition, senior Whitney Waters (Austin, TX), who competed in doubles with Sumida and in singles at No. 3, gained her inaugural First-Team award after twice being named to the Second Team. Miller earned her third First-Team nod as the Bulldogs' No. 2 singles competitor. She also played doubles with Yoshinaga, who landed on the Second Team for the second time in her career.
In addition, Sumida and Waters earned ITA All-America honors for winning the 2009 Fall ITA West Regional Doubles Championship. This marked the second such accolade in doubles of their solid four-year careers at Redlands.
Following the conference tournament, Sumida and Miller participated in the 110th Ojai Valley Tournament, facing players from NCAA Division II, III and NAIA schools. Sumida advanced to the second round, while Miller suffered an early exit from the tournament.
Although the team did not secure an automatic berth to the NCAA Championships, it advanced to the playoffs for the 10th time in 11 years, gaining an at-large bid in 2010. Facing Gwynedd-Mercy College (PA) in the first round, Redlands dominated its East Coast opponents by dropping just three games in doubles and two games in singles before securing the 5-0 victory.
The Bulldogs then faced off against familiar foe Chapman in the next round but lost to the Panthers for the second time this season, ending their 2010 campaign on a 1-5 defeat.
Due to their strong regional ranking, Sumida and Waters would have advanced to the NCAA Individual Doubles Championships for the third time. Sumida was also a likely contender in the singles draw. But the duo together made the admirable decision to withdraw from the tournament in order to participate in commencement ceremonies at the University of Redlands.
The Bulldogs were represented by Miller, who made her third trip to the individual singles championships. Unfortunately, she fell short in the first round against the top player from Carnegie Mellon by scores of 6-1, 6-4.
With the graduation of Sumida, Waters, senior Sutton Anderson (Breckenridge, CO) and McCann, the Bulldogs must fill the voids of competitiveness, commitment, enthusiasm and talent that they leave behind. In addition, Gerentine will not return next season due to her decision to transfer, requiring Redlands to replace her contributions as well. However, the women's tennis team returns experience and leadership in Miller and Yoshinaga, and looks forward to the up-and-coming offerings of its dedicated underclassmen. Under the guidance and development of Donn, the Bulldogs anticipate great advancements during the near future, with their eyes focused on recapturing the SCIAC title and extending their postseason playoff streak to 11 in 2011.