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

Amidst a challenging schedule that included 10 nationally-ranked opponents, the University of Redlands women’s tennis team accumulated an overall record of 16-6 en route to earning the second-most wins in program history. In addition, the Bulldogs captured a share of the coveted Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Championship with an impressive 9-1 mark. After defeating five ranked teams and moving onto the NCAA Championships for the eighth time in nine years, Redlands women’s tennis wrapped up the 2008 season with a final national ranking of 15th.

Following a solid showing at the Redlands Invitational, the Bulldogs opened conference action with a dominating 9-0 win over Whittier College. Redlands also captured 7-2 wins over familiar foe Chapman University and SCIAC opponent Occidental College. The women then extended their initial winning streak to four matches with an 8-1 victory over the University of La Verne to improve to 3-0 in conference.

Redlands then took on eight non-conference opponents during the month of March, facing five among the nation’s top 10. During this stretch, the Bulldogs captured victories against Sewanee (TN), the College of New Jersey, Trinity University (TX), and Pacific Lutheran University (WA). This success set off an impressive seven-match winning streak to wrap up the regular season. At the start of this frenzy was an exciting 7-2 road-victory over then-ranked #10 Pomona-Pitzer Colleges. After taking two of the three doubles points, the Bulldogs won all but one of the singles matches for the 7-2 victory. In doubles, sophomores Paige Sumida (Hilo, HI) and Whitney Waters (Austin, TX) earned an 8-6 win at the top spot while the #3 duo of senior Natalie Krzmarzick (Yucaipa, CA) and junior Kaleena Wakamatsu (Maui, HI) defeated their opponents by a score of 8-5. The Bulldogs’ momentum continued in singles as Redlands won five of the six matches. At #2, Sumida earned a 7-5, 6-2 victory while Waters came out on top at #4 with scores of 6-3, 6-4. Junior Tori Damiani (Sacramento, CA) gained a solid 6-1, 6-4 win at #6 as senior Katie Bell (San Dimas, CA) battled it out at #3, taking a come-from-behind victory, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. Rounding out the Bulldogs’ scoring, Wakamatsu prevailed at #5 with scores of 7-5, 2-6, 10-6.

This win inspired the Bulldogs to rattle off important wins against their last three conference opponents to remain atop the standings while gaining a 6-3 victory over NAIA competitor Point Loma Nazarene University. Against the Sea Lions, Redlands cruised by its opponents in doubles with solid scores at every slot. The #1 team of Sumida and Waters posted an 8-5 victory while sophomore Rachael Miller (Newport Beach, CA) and freshman Sara Yoshinaga (Honolulu, HI) came out on top by a resounding score of 8-1. To wrap up the sweep, the #3 duo of Bell and Damiani earned an 8-4 win. In singles, the Bulldogs looked to the bottom half of their lineup to secure the victory as they all won in straight sets. Waters led the charge with an impressive 6-3, 6-2 showing at the #4 spot as Damiani gained a 7-5, 6-1 victory at #5. Finally, Yoshinaga won at #6 with scores of 6-2, 7-6 (3).

With an undefeated SCIAC mark, Redlands sat in prime contention to capture the championship for the first time since 2005. The Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer stood in front of the Bulldogs during the final match of the conference tournament. Despite having earlier success against them, Redlands came up short and settled for a co-championship for their third title in school history. Immediately following the tournament, the All-SCIAC teams were announced. Miller, Sumida, and Bell landed on the First Team, as Waters and Wakamatsu earned Second Team honors.

Although disappointed with the loss, the Bulldogs looked forward to the NCAA Championships for the eighth time in nine years, earning one of five at-large spots in the playoffs. After a first-round bye, Redlands faced UC Santa Cruz in the second round, earning a 5-3 victory over the Banana Slugs. This propelled the Bulldogs into the third round for a match-up against conference foe Pomona-Pitzer for the third time during the 2008 season. Unfortunately, Redlands suffered a tough 1-5 elimination loss to the Sagehens.

Prior to the postseason, members of the Redlands women’s tennis team competed in the 108th Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament, gaining solid individual results. Miller advanced to the Round of 16 before faltering to a player from Division II Cal State Los Angeles. In addition, the doubles duos of Miller and Yoshinaga, and Sumida and Waters (Austin, TX) moved onto the quarterfinals.

Finally, the Bulldogs boasted three qualifiers to the NCAA Individual Championships as Miller competed in singles and Sumida and Waters earned a spot in the doubles tournament. Despite battling to three sets, they all suffered tough first-round defeats during this high-caliber tournament.

Overall, the Redlands women’s tennis team put together an outstanding season, culminating in a final national ranking of 15th. Although the voids left by contributing seniors Krzmarzick and Bell must be filled, the Bulldogs look forward to the improved play of all of their returnees. As Redlands remains committed to a challenging schedule that best prepares them fro the SCIAC and beyond, the women’s tennis team anticipates more excitement and success during the 2009 campaign.