HOME OF BULLDOG MEN'S TENNIS:  56 SCIAC Championships, 15 National Titles

The University of Redlands men's tennis team finally took to the courts on Wednesday afternoon following Saturday's rain-out.  The Bulldogs kicked off the 2009 season with a non-conference match against Hope International University and captured a solid 7-2 win on Verdieck Courts.

Redlands jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead by sweeping the doubles.  Senior Aron Ouye (San Diego, CA) and sophomore Casey Fashouer (Arlington, VA) teamed up at the No. 3 spot and cruised to an 8-3 showing for the Bulldogs' first point.  The top duo of junior Mike Reading (Mill Creek, WA) and sophomore transfer Cameron Spearman (Laguna Niguel, CA) took down their opponents by a score of 8-5.  Finally, the No. 2 team of sophomore Keven Wong (Keneohe, HI) and senior Chris Trippel (Mercer Island, WA) put the Bulldogs up by three after their 8-5 win.

In singles, Trippel remained steady at the No. 6 spot, capturing the team's fourth point in a 6-0, 6-0 dismantling of his opponent.  Ouye then earned the overall win for the Bulldogs by cruising to a 6-2, 6-2 victory at No. 3.

In addition,  junior Matt Liebman (Westport, CT) came back in three sets to win at No. 4, 1-6, 6-1, 6-1.  Spearman rounded out the Bulldogs' scoring with a 3-6, 7-5, 10-7 showing at No. 2.

The Bulldogs (1-0) host Vanguard University on Friday at 11 a.m. in a rescheduled match from Saturday's rain-out.