REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Tennis Team faced a tough match-up with No. 9 Amherst Friday afternoon falling 8-1 at the Verdieck Tennis Courts.
The Maroon and Grey improve to 4-3 and have gone 2-2 so far here in the month of March.
It was close in doubles with the Bulldogs pushing the Mammoths. After Liv Rockwood (Park City, UT) and Mia Fitzgerald (Kilauea, HI) dropped 8-3 at No. 2, the other slots tried to create some pushback. Gabby Rockwood (Park City, UT) and Kendall Bolock (Yucaipa, CA) were unable to makeup a late break as they fell 8-5 and then at No. 3 Christine O'Brien (Leawood, KS) and Kiana Brady (Hermosa Beach, CA) would fall 8-6.
In singles a pair of matches went the distance. Brady split with her opponent at No. 2 each taking a set at 6-4. But in the third set breaker it would be Amherst coming out on top winning 12-10. Bolock had the lone point on the day putting together a great match at No. 3 also going to three sets. She won the first set 6-4, but was edged 6-3 in the second before taking the third set breaker 10-6.
The other matches would all be in straight sets. L. Rockwood fell 6-3, 6-0 at the top spot, G. Rockwood went down 6-0, 6-3 at No. 5, Abby Nash (Bellevue, WA) picked up three games at No. 6 losing 6-1, 6-2 and Fitzgerald created some fireworks at No. 4 going to a breaker in her first set but couldn't force a third as she dropped 7-6 (6), 6-2.
Coach's Thoughts
"Today was a great effort against a Top 10 team in Division III. Although the score line was a bit lopsided, we had several takeaways from the match. I am proud of how we competed in doubles and singles down the line and this kind of match just gets us stronger."
Coach's Shoutout
"Kendall Bolock had a solid win at No. 3 singles and showcased her tenacity and grit out there today. She is off to a great start this season and I am really happy seeing her progression."