REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Men's Tennis team had a tough match-up Thursday night falling 6-1 to No. 15 Middlebury College inside the Verdieck Tennis Center.

The Bulldogs attempted to get the early doubles point but came up just short. Vitomir Petcov (Portland, OR) and MJ Abarca (San Diego, CA) on the first court had an impressive 6-3 win. Sam Parsons (Leamington Spa, England) and Cooper Whittington (Lake Oswego, OR) weren't as fortunate, falling 6-2. The deciding match came down to Jack Hinkle (Bountiful. UT) and Mateen Ghafarshad (Claremont, CA) at No. 3 who nearly forced a tiebreaker before falling 7-5 allowing Middlebury to go in front. 

After a tough loss in doubles, Redlands went to work in singles attempting a comeback, but the Panthers would rattle off the next four points giving them a clinch. Petcov at No. 1 fell 6-3, 6-0, Abarca at the third spot fell 6-4, 6-2, and Hinkle at the fourth spot fell 6-2, 6-3. Gustavo Marcanth (Redondo Beach, CA) put together a strong effort at No. 2 but was ultimately broken in each set falling 6-4, 6-4.   

William Pullin (Peachtree City, GA) in the sixth spot was the highlight of the evening getting Redlands their lone point of the match in straight sets 7-5, 6-3. This put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard 5-1, with one match to go.

Ghafarshad on court five almost turned his match around too, having a close first set loss 6-4 and then breaking back in the second set and being up 6-5. However, the Panthers fought back taking the next game and the ensuing tiebreak, 7-6.

Redlands hits the roads this Saturday, March 28 as they travel to Whittier College. The second SCIAC match up of the season for the Bulldogs begins at 10:00am.