REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Men's Tennis team battled Saturday afternoon falling 5-2 to No. 14 Trinity University inside the Verdieck Tennis Center. After a quick turnaround of matches Friday, the men came back today for a double header.   

The Bulldogs' energy started off strong during doubles but in the end fell short of winning the early point. The top duo of Vitomir Petcov (Portland, OR) and Marlon Abarca (San Diego, CA) would fall 6-4 and the No. 3 team of Jack Hinkle (Bountiful, UT) and Mateen Ghafarshad (Claremont, CA) would drop two breaks at 6-2. However, the high energy carried through to the last match coming from Sam Parsons (Leamington Spa, England) and Cooper Whittington (Lake Oswego, OR) who would secure the 7-5 victory.

Being down a point did not deter the Bulldogs from carrying the energy into singles. Hinkle at No. 4 breezed through his match winning 6-1, 6-2, putting the Bulldogs on the board 1-1.

Trinity, though would go on to win the next three points putting them up 4-1, clinching the match. No. 5 William Pullin (Peachtree City, GA) would drop in straight sets 6-1,6-4, Petcov at No. 1 was broken once in each set falling 6-4,6-4, and Gustavo Marcanth (Redondo Beach, CA) would get edged 6-3, 6-4 at No. 2.   

Abarca at No. 3 ended up splitting sets with his opponent but due to the clinch, played a ten-point third set super tie breaker. He battled and would grind out a 6-3, 4-6, 10-6 win giving UR their second point with one match to go. 
The last match on was Ghafarshad at No. 6 who nearly had both sets in hand before falling 7-5, 7-5. 

Redlands returns to the court Friday, February 27 when they host No. 11 Azusa Pacific University beginning at 5:00pm.