Redlands Tennis Sweeps Caltech and Chapman to Close Regular Season
By David James Heiss
Redlands News Collective
The University of Redlands men’s and women’s tennis teams surged through the final stretch of the regular season, securing a pair of pivotal double-header victories against No. 25/37 Caltech and Chapman University at the Verdieck Tennis Center.
Photo by Emmerson Wright
Gustavo Marcanth overcame a five-game deficit to win his tie-break in a recent match against Chapman.
The Bulldogs combined for a 23-5 match record across the four duals, punctuated by weather-defying performances on April 13 and a heartfelt Senior Day celebration on April 18.
Weather Delays Can't Stop Momentum vs. Caltech (April 13)
In a rescheduled match plagued by lightning and rain delays, both Redlands squads proved resilient against nationally ranked Caltech.
Women’s Recap (Redlands 5, Caltech 2):
The No. 25-ranked Beavers could not overcome a focused Bulldog start. Juniors Maegan Deng and Lindsey Whelan set the tone with a 6-1 win at No. 1 doubles, while sophomores Maisy Reynoso and Jasmine Sheets secured the point with a 6-2 victory at the No. 3 spot.
Singles play was twice interrupted by weather, but Deng remained locked in, cruising to a 6-2, 6-0 win. After a grueling four-hour battle that saw three matches go to third sets, junior Vrishitha Kumar provided the exclamation point at No. 4, rallying from a set down to win 2-6, 7-6, 7-5.
Men’s Recap (Redlands 6, Caltech 1):
The men’s side made quick work of the No. 37 Beavers, sweeping doubles behind pairs sophomore/junior duo Vitomir Petcov/MJ Abarca, juniors Sam Parsons/Cooper Whittington, and sophomore Jack Hinkle/freshman Mateen Ghafarshad.
Following the lightning delay, freshman William Pullin sparked the singles momentum with a 6-2, 6-2 win. Petcov and Hinkle finished simultaneously to clinch the dual, while Ghafarshad ground out a 7-6, 6-0 win at the No. 6 position to cap the dominant 6-1 evening.
Bulldogs Honor Seniors with Dominant Wins over Chapman (April 18)
Photo via goredlands.com
Senior Eve Laurent rallied a comeback from behind on Senior Day to finish on top.
Redlands returned to the Verdieck Tennis Center five days later to host Chapman University, using the occasion to celebrate seniors Eve Laurent and Tyler Pyle.
Women’s Recap (Redlands 6, Chapman 1):
The women (11-8, 4-2 SCIAC) clinical display began with doubles wins from Deng/Whelan and sophomore-junior duo Sophia Truong/Kumar. In singles, Deng continued her tear with a "double bagel" 6-0, 6-0 victory at the top flight.
The highlight of the afternoon came at No. 6 singles, where senior Eve Laurent fought back from a 6-0 first-set loss to claim the second set 6-4 and the match in a 10-4 super tiebreaker. Reynoso secured the team clinch at No. 3 with a 6-2, 6-3 win.
Men’s Recap (Redlands 6, Chapman 1):
The men (10-9, 4-2 SCIAC) mirrored the women's scoreline, beginning with a clean doubles sweep. Petcov and Abarca led the way with a 6-3 win at the No. 1 spot.
In singles, Hinkle and Petcov put the Bulldogs on the brink before Pullin secured the clinch at No. 5 with a 6-2, 7-5 victory. At No. 2, junior Gustavo Marcanth showed veteran poise, erasing a five-game deficit in the second set to win 6-2, 7-6. Abarca finished the day's play with a comeback 10-7 tiebreaker win at No. 3.