REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Tennis team picked up their biggest win of the season Monday afternoon stunning No. 21 WashU 7-2 at the Verdieck Tennis Courts.
The Maroon and Grey have now won two in a row and improve to 4-2 on the season. The last time the program upset a Top 25 team was back in 2020 before the pandemic hit when they beat No. 21 Caltech 6-3. That same season they also beat No. 33 Christopher Newport (7-2).
It was a battle all afternoon but what an atmosphere for the Bulldogs who used it to come away with the upset. A clean sweep in doubles proved the difference in the match as it would take the wind out of the sails of WashU. First years Christine O'Brien (Leawood, KS) and Kiana Brady (Hermosa Beach, CA) teamed up for the first time this season at No. 3 and they got UR on the scoreboard quickly rolling to the 8-3 win. Gabby Rockwood (Park City, UT) and Kendall Bolock (Yucaipa, CA) would follow later for the second point but they needed a breaker to pull it out. They needed to hold serve late to force extras and they did just that winning 8-7 (2). The last match on was back and forth at No. 2. The team of Liv Rockwood (Park City, UT) and Mia Fitzgerald (Kilauea, HI) held an early lead but gave it right back allowing the Bears to get back into the match. They also had to fight off break points late, which would have handed the win to WashU, but they didn't give up eventually holding at 7-6 to force another breaker, which they would come out on top in 8-7 (3).
The momentum carried over into singles with five of the six matches being decided in straight sets. Brady rolled at No. 2 winning 6-1, 6-2 getting Redlands within a point of the clinch. But the Bears had other thoughts taking the next two matches at No. 3 (Lexi Lehman (Scottsdale, AZ)) and No. 6 (Abby Nash (Bellevue, WA)) to cut the deficit in half. These would be the only points picked up though by the Bears as L. Rockwood would secure the upset at No. 1 cruising to the 6-2, 6-2 decision. But the Bulldogs weren't done there as Bolock would pick up the sixth point at No. 4 winning 6-2, 6-2. Fitzgerald would then complete the match at No. 5 needing a breaker to grab the seventh point on the day. After winning the first set 6-4 would drop 6-1 in the second before taking out her opponent 10-6 in the breaker.
Redlands looks to keep the momentum going as they host No. 9 Amherst this Friday, March 18 beginning at 3:00pm.
Coach's Thoughts
"I am so proud of how we fought against a well coached WashU team today. We swept doubles after pulling out a couple of hard fought tiebreakers, but every time we get out onto the court we are gaining confidence. Huge win for the program today and we look to build off of this in preparation for Amherst."
Coach's Shoutout
"Liv came up huge for us at the top spot today taking down a quality opponent. Her victory in singles clinched the match for us. She has been working extremely hard on and off the court, and I am really happy with the way she has competed in both doubles and singles. Huge effort from her today!