REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Tennis team had a tough week with competitions dropping a pair of Top-10 match-ups against No. 6 Amherst College (5-4) and No. 7 Emory University (7-2).
Redlands drops to 4-3 and still boasts one of the toughest Division III schedules in the country.    

No. 7 Emory University (L, 7-2)

It was a tough start for the Bulldogs seeing their No. 3 team of Kaylin Kielty (Canyon Lake, CA) and Rayna Sugai (Las Vegas, NV) default due to an injury giving the Eagles an early point.  Maegan Deng (Redondo Beach, CA) and Livi Rockwood (Park City, UT) tied things up quickly after winning 8-2 at the top spot forcing the decisive point to come at No. 2 where Christine O'Brien (Leawood, KS) and Kiana Brady (Hermosa Beach, CA) would fall in a breaker 8-7 (5). 
Behind 2-1 heading into singles Head Coach Jake De Vries was forced to shift his lineup due to the injury but it was all Emory as they would take five of six matches to earn the road victory.  The lone win for the U of R coming from Sugai at No. 4 who would earn a break in each set at 6-3, 6-4.  Deng also had a battle at No. 1 falling in three sets 6-3, 5-7, 10-5.  Brady at No. 2 had opportunities as well but would get edged 6-4, 6-3.  L. Rockwood dropped a 6-4, 6-0 decision at No. 3, O'Brien would fall 6-0, 6-4 and Deja Brown (San Diego, CA) at No. 6 would drop in straights 6-3, 6-2.     

No. 6 Amherst College (L, 5-4)

The Bulldogs found themselves in an early hole 3-0 after doubles. The No. 2 and No. 3 teams of Brady and O'Brien and Brown and Sugai would each fall 8-5.  Then at No. 1 Deng and L. Rockwood would drop an 8-6 decision.
Forced to come back in singles the Maroon and Grey were up to the task taking four of six nearly pulling off the upset.  The Mammoths would grab their fourth point at No. 6 as Brown would fall 6-1, 6-0.  But after that UR won three straight points led by L. Rockwood at No. 2 who would roll 6-1, 6-3 putting the Maroon and Grey on the scoreboard.  She was followed by Brady at No. 3 who would win in straights 6-4, 6-1 and then Deng at the top spot taking her match 6-3, 6-3 moving the deficit to one, 4-3.  The momentum stopped however as O'Brien would fall at No. 5 in a highly contested match, which included a second set breaker 6-3, 7-6 (1).  This clinched the match for Amherst despite Sugai winning at No. 4 pulling out a three-setter 6-7 (5), 6-2, 10-8.          
Redlands returns to the Verdieck Tennis Center to host No. 28 Bowdoin College on Wednesday, March 20 beginning at 5:00pm.