The No. 22 University of Redlands women's tennis team played host to the No. 29 Whitman College (WA) Missionaries in an in-region showdown on Verdieck Courts on Friday afternoon.  After earning a slight advantage with a 2-1 performance in the doubles, the Bulldogs captured singles victories in five of the six matches for the 7-2 overall victory.

The Missionaries got on the board first with a solid outing at No. 3 but the Maroon and Gray quickly responded with a pair of 8-4 wins at the remaining slots.  Senior Ceara Sumida (Hilo, HI) and junior Natalie Etchegaray (Placentia, CA) took care of business at No. 1, while senior Julia Pollak (Holland, PA) and junior Lauren Villanueva (El Segundo, CA) prevailed at No. 2.

The momentum continued for Redlands, as Villanueva dominated her No. 3 opponent by impressive scores of 6-1, 6-0.  Etchegaray also made quick work at the No. 1 slot, cruising to a 6-3, 6-2 victory.  Sophomore Emily Murnin (Salt Lake City, UT) put this one in the books for the Bulldogs by defeating her No. 4 foe, 6-4, 6-1. 

In addition, junior Gabriela Vasquez (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) and Sumida recorded wins at Nos. 5 and 2, respectively.

Redlands (7-5) jumps right back into action on Saturday, March 21, with an 11 a.m. match against Tufts University (MA), which is tied-for-17th in the national rankings.