The No. 34 University of Redlands women's tennis team opened Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) competition on Saturday morning by upsetting the No. 21 Caltech Beavers in a 6-3 decision on Verdieck Courts. After snagging a 2-1 lead through the doubles, the Bulldogs continued to cruise with wins in the first four singles matches off the courts.
Sophomore Halle Martinucci (Burlingame, CA) and first-year Olivia Rockwood (Park City, UT) impressed at the No. 1 slot with an 8-0 effort to initiate the scoring in doubles. Senior Jackie Lacy (Palm Desert, CA) and junior Lexi Lehman (Scottsdale, AZ) quickly followed with their 8-1 result at No. 3.
Although Caltech mustered a win at No. 2, the Bulldogs headed into the singles competition with a slight 2-1 advantage.
Martinucci finished off her No. 5 opponent by scores of 6-1, 6-3, as Lehman rolled to a 6-4, 6-1 triumph at No. 4. Sophomore Mia Fitzgerald (Hanalei, HI) officially put this one in the books when she captured a 6-3, 6-1 win at the No. 2 spot.
First-year Kendall Bolock (Yucaipa, CA) provided another straight-set win at No. 3 to make it 6-3 for the home team.
Redlands (1-0, 1-0 SCIAC) hosts NCAA Division II opponent, Biola University, in a non-conference tilt on Friday, February 21, at 1 p.m. on Verdieck Courts.