REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Tennis team made a statement Wednesday beating Brandeis University 5-2 at the Verdieck Tennis Courts.
The Bulldogs improve to 2-1 on the young season and hand Head Coach Peter Yellico his first win as a Bulldog. Despite the snow/rain delay that forced the match to be pushed back and the alteration to the scoring format (Played Division I Scoring) the Maroon and Grey persevered and took the top two doubles matches before securing four of six singles.
Doubles was played like Division I, normal six game sets rather than eight along with the team who takes two of three matches will take a 1-0 lead into singles. Redlands picked that advantage up quickly winning at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. Gabby Rockwood (Park City, UT) and Kendall Bolock (Yucaipa, CA) rolled to the 6-1 win at the top spot and Liv Rockwood (Park City, UT) and Mia Fitzgerald (Kilauea, HI) followed shutting out their opponents at No. 2 6-0.
Kiana Brady (Hermosa Beach, CA) and Lexi Lehman (Scottsdale, AZ) were trailing 5-2 at No. 3 when their match was called because the go-ahead point was picked up already.
Brady found herself playing No. 2 singles for the first time this season and she made quick work of Ana Hatheld 6-0, 6-1. This carried into Fitzgerald's match at No. 5 who picked up the third point for the Bulldogs winning 6-3, 6-2. L. Rockwood playing at No. 1 faced a tough match with Bhakti Parwani and was broken in each set at 6-3, 6-3 allowing the Judges to get onto the scoreboard 3-1.
Brandeis carried this momentum at No. 6 as Abby Nash (Bellevue, WA) fell in straights 6-2, 6-3 moving the score to 3-2. It then came down to No. 3 and No. 4 singles, both going the distance. Lehman finished first at No. 3 picking up the clinching point for the University of Redlands. She earned a late break in the opening set to win 7-5, but gave it right back to Nikith Salkar 6-1 in the second. But somehow Lehman regrouped and showed her tenacity as she would go on to roll 6-1 in the third claiming the victory for the Maroon and Grey.
Bolock was the last match on at No. 4 and she too was forced into a third set, but she showed her grit pulling out the win. After taking the opening frame 6-2 was forced into a 3rd set after Sabrina Coui would take the second set 7-5. In the final set it was all Bolock cruising to the 6-1 victory adding the fifth point to the team total.
Coach's Thoughts
"Our energy in doubles today was awesome. We came out firing from the first point to the last and never let them gain any momentum. I am really proud of how the entire team handled the rain/snow delay. They displayed a lot of character to come out and get the win after a long day. I'm looking forward to getting back out to practice and prepping for Mary Washington."
Coach's Shoutout
"Lexi Lehman battled and found herself in a 3rd set but refocused and found a way to pull it out, coming up clutch for the decisive fifth point that clinched the match. Her experience really came to light and was able to figure out a way to secure the victory."
Redlands looks to carry this momentum into March when they host Mary Washington on Saturday, March 5 beginning at 1:00pm.