REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Tennis team opened up Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) play Saturday morning at the Verdieck Tennis Courts rolling past Cal Lutheran 8-1.
The Maroon and Grey improve to 5-3, 1-0 SCIAC and have won three of their last four.
Freshmen tandem Christine O'Brien (Leawood, KS) and Kiana Brady (Hermosa Beach, CA) continue to look good in doubles picking up the first point for the Bulldogs at No. 3 8-3. Liv Rockwood (Park City, UT) and Mia Fitzgerald (Kilauea, HI) picked up the second point at No. 2 facing a tough match-up where they needed to bare down late to win 8-6. Then at No. 1 Gabby Rockwood (Park City, UT) and Kendall Bolock (Yucaipa, CA) were forced to come from behind erasing a 4-0 deficit to come from behind to win in a breaker 8-7, which gave UR the 3-0 advantage.
The momentum carried into singles where Redlands took five of six matches all of which came in straight sets. Bolock rolled at No. 3 6-1, 6-2, Brady in the No. 2 slot cruised 6-0, 6-3 and Fitzgerald grabbed a pair of 6-2 sets at No. 4. G. Rockwood who found her way into the singles lineup grabbed her first win of 2022 at No. 5 going 6-4, 6-2. Her twin sister L. Rockwood was also in the lineup at No. 1, but was unable to get any traction falling 6-2, 6-4. The last point on the morning came from Abby Nash (Bellevue, WA) at No. 6 who remained steady all day grabbing a late break in the first set to win 7-5 before cruising 6-1 in the second.
Redlands returns to their non-conference schedule next Wednesday, March 23 when they host Colby College beginning at 3:00pm.
Coach's Thoughts
"We started a little sluggish in doubles today, but we found our way back into every line. We got down early at No. 1 and No. 2 but fought our way back into each match and competed well picking up the sweep. I am proud of how we kept our composure and battled through each game. I am happy with how we kept our foot on the gas pedal and never them off the hook."
Coach's Shoutout
"Mia Fitzgerald had a great pair of wins today. She competed well in singles and clinched the match for us. She has been working hard and I am really happy for her and the way she is playing."