The No. 19 University of Redlands women's tennis team battled until the very last point but came up on the losing end of a 4-5 decision against the Brandeis University (MA) Judges in non-conference action on Saturday.  After taking a 2-1 lead through the doubles, the Bulldogs dropped the first four singles matches before bookending the line-up with a pair of wins to end the day on a positive note.

Redlands came out firing in the doubles competition and stormed out to an early lead with efficient showings at the Nos. 1 and 2 slots.  Freshman Sarah Ikioka (Wailuku, HI) and sophomore Elizabeth Johnson (Portland, OR) joined forces for an impressive 8-3 win at the top slot, while senior Emily Murnin (Salt Lake City, UT) and freshman Jackie Lacy (Palm Desert, CA) cruised to an 8-4 victory at No. 2. 

Although Brandeis won at No. 3, the Bulldogs held a slight 2-1 advantage at the start of the singles matches.

Unfortunately for the home team, the momentum stayed with the Judges, as they captured the next four points in straight sets at Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 5, to secure the match victory.

Nonetheless, the Bulldogs looked to Lacy and Ikioka to prevail in each of their respective matches to bring the final score to 4-5.  Lacy put together a solid day at No. 6 with her 6-3, 6-3 triumph, before Ikioka held on for a 6-3, 6-7(7), 10-5 win at No. 1.

Redlands (0-4) looks forward to a short break from competition, before squaring off against No. 32 Christopher Newport University (VA) on Friday, March 10, at 2 p.m. on Verdieck Courts.