REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Tennis team picked up a crucial win Saturday afternoon edging No. 43 California Lutheran University 4-3 inside the Verdieck Tennis Center.

The Bulldogs managed to squeak out the doubles point taking two of three matches.  Maegan Deng (Redondo Beach, CA) and Deja Brown (San Diego, CA) dropped quickly at No. 1 falling 6-1 giving CLU an early advantage.  But the next two sets would go to the U of R.  Christine O'Brien (Leawood, KS) and Kiana Brady (Hermosa Beach, CA) would come away with a 6-4 win at No. 2 leveling things and Lindsey Whelan (Mercer Island, WA) and Vrishtha Kumar (Mumbai, India) followed with the clinch pulling out a tiebreaker 7-6.

In singles both teams split grabbing three matches each.  Brown rolled quickly putting a second point up on the scoreboard winning 6-0, 6-1 at No. 3.  Brady followed with a 6-1, 6-4 decision at No. 2 putting another point on the scoreboard and the clinch came at No. 4 from Whelan who took down her opponent 6-4, 6-1.    

O'Brien dropped in straights but put together a tight match falling 7-6 (4), 6-3 at No. 5 allowing CLU to grab their first singles point.  The last two matches were in three-sets.  Kumar fought back from a set down to force a third-set breaker ultimately falling 1-6, 7-5, 7-10.  The last match on came at No. 1 with an All-SCIAC showdown taking place.  Deng though would get edged in a third set breaker despite going in front early.  She would take the opening frame 7-6 (2) but would drop the second 7-5 before falling 10-7 in the breaker. 
       
The Bulldogs have two matches remaining on the regular season schedule both on the road this week beginning with No. 18 Caltech on Tuesday, April 18 at 4:30pm before traveling to Occidental College on Saturday, April 26 beginning at 3:00pm.