Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Whittier College women's tennis team lost a tough 8-1 decision to the Bulldogs of the University of Redlands who are ranked No. 22 nationally Saturday morning.

Whittier now drops to 8-7, 2-3 SCIAC, while Redlands improves to 12-4, 5-0 SCIAC.

The Poets lone win came from sophomore Chloe Dredge who continues to have an impressive season after having moved into the No. 2 slot at the beginning at of the season.  She cruised to the 6-2 first set win and followed that up in the second needing only one break of serve to hold on 6-4.  With the win she now improves her season record to 10-5 and has won her third straight match.

Whittier had opportunities in doubles to take a 2-1 lead into singles play but were unable to bounce back after they were broken early.  The No. 1 team of Liliana Serylo and Dredge had opportunities to break late but couldn't convert falling 8-6, while at No. 2 freshman Rachel Sugiyama and sophomore Adrienne Hamada faced the same fate also falling 8-6.

Junior Lauren Gelgur who was riding a seven match win streak going into the contest was unable to pull out her eighth straight win as she fell 6-0, 6-2 to the hands of Pollack.

Whittier looks to bounce back as they take on the Leopards of the University of La Verne on Friday, April 20 at the Claremont Club beginning at 2pm before hosting the Regals of Cal Lutheran University the next day on April 21 beginning at 11am.     

Doubles:

1.       Ly/Cassidy def Serylo/Chloe (8-6)

2.       Sumida/Pollack def Hamada/Sugiyama (8-6)

3.       Morton/Press def Oliker/Weintraub (8-3)

Singles:

1.       Ly def Serylo 6-3,6-3

2.       Dredge def Morton 6-2,6-4

3.       Sumida def Hamada 6-3,6-2

4.       Press def Weintraub 6-3,6-1

5.       Cassidy def Sugiyama 6-4,6-3

6.       Pollack def Gelgur 6-0,6-2