HOME OF BULLDOG WOMEN'S TENNIS - 1980, 2005, 2008 SCIAC Champions

Despite entering the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Championship Tournament as the #1 seed, the Bulldog women’s tennis team faltered in the final round to settle for a co-championship with Pomona-Pitzer Colleges. They shut out their first- and second-round opponents but struggled against the Sagehens to finish in a tie.

On Friday, Redlands cruised to a 5-0 victory over Caltech by dropping a total of five games. After sweeping the doubles with 8-0 scores at each position, freshman Sara Yoshinaga (Honolulu, HI) posted a 6-2, 6-0 win at the top spot. Senior Natalie Krzmarzick (Yucaipa, CA) dominated her opponent at #2 with a 6-0, 6-0 showing, while junior Kelly Lesoing (Bellingham, WA) came up with a 6-2, 6-1 victory at #4.

Later that day, the Bulldogs gained a 9-0 win over the University of La Verne with similar results. In doubles, sophomores Paige Sumida (Hilo, HI) and Whitney Waters (Austin, TX) came up with a solid 8-1 showing at the top spot, while sophomore Rachael Miller (Newport Beach, CA) and Yoshinaga teamed up at #2 for an 8-2 victory. In the doubles sweep, junior Kaleena Wakamatsu (Maui, HI) and Krzmarzick shut out their opponents at #3, 8-0. In singles, Redlands gave up only nine games in six matches with junior Tori Damiani (Sacramento, CA) and Waters leading the way at #4 and #6, respectively, with 6-0, 6-0 victories.

In Saturday’s championship match, Redlands looked to repeat their 7-2 showing over Pomona-Pitzer from earlier this season. However, the Sagehens had different plans and handed the Bulldogs a difficult 1-8 loss, forcing a co-championship between the two teams. Waters provided the Bulldogs’ only point by winning at #4, 6-1, 6-3.

Immediately following the tournament, the women’s tennis coaches met to determine the All-SCIAC teams. Miller, Sumida, and senior Katie Bell (San Dimas, CA) landed on the First Team, as Waters and Wakamatsu earned Second Team honors.

The Bulldogs (15-5, 9-1 SCIAC) now head to the 108th Annual Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The women’s tennis team also awaits the NCAA Championship announcement on April 29.