For the third match in a row, the No. 21 University of Redlands women's tennis team pulled out a 5-4 victory, earning Wednesday's result over No. 19 Case Western Reserve University (OH) on Verdieck Courts. After falling behind in the doubles, the Bulldogs fought off the Spartans by winning four of the six singles matches for the impressive comeback.
In doubles, seniors Natalie Etchegaray (Placentia, CA) and Lauren Villanueva (El Segundo, CA) scored the only point for the Maroon and Gray by posting an 8-6 win at No. 1.
Although the Spartans extended their lead to 3-1 with the first singles result, the Bulldogs responded with wins by freshman Elizabeth Johnson (Portland, OR) and Etchegaray to even the count at three apiece. Johnson pushed by her No. 4 opponent, 6-3, 7-6(5), while Etchegaray registered a 6-3, 6-3 triumph at the top slot.
But CWRU regained the lead, forcing Redlands into a must-win scenario for the remaining matches at Nos. 2 and 6. Junior Emily Murnin (Salt Lake City, UT) stepped up first, going the distance in a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 showing, while freshman Kate Dolan (St. Louis, MO) sealed the deal in her comeback effort, 4-6, 7-5, 6-0.
Redlands (6-1) looks forward to facing off against Wesleyan University (CT) on Thursday, March 10, at 4 p.m.
