The University of Redlands men’s tennis team faced off against #17 Carnegie Mellon University (PA) and Skidmore College (NY) on Saturday, wrapping up a challenging week that included four matches.  The Bulldogs prevailed in both contests as they defeated CMU, 5-4, followed by an 8-1 victory over Skidmore.

Against Carnegie Mellon, Redlands faced an early deficit after winning only one of the doubles matches.  The #3 duo of sophomore Jeff Hammond (Mercer Island, WA) and freshman Keven Wong (Kaneohe, HI) provided a solid 8-5 victory to earn the team’s first point.  The Bulldogs rallied back in singles with impressive two-set victories at #4, #5, and #6.  Sophomore Mike Reading (shown in photo; Mill Creek, WA) took down his opponent at the #4 spot, 6-1, 6-0, while junior Chris Trippel (Mercer Island, WA) provided a 6-0, 6-2 victory at #6.  Senior Ransom Cook (Brookline, WA) scored the Bulldogs’ fourth point with his 6-2, 6-3 win at #5.  With the score tied at four apiece, the match came down to the top spot in singles.  In a tight three-set victory, sophomore Matt Liebman (Westport, CT) provided the winning match, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (6), 6-2, in the exciting 5-4 victory over Carnegie Mellon.

Later that day, the Bulldogs took the courts again, hosting Skidmore College in another non-conference match.  After cruising through the doubles, Redlands held a 3-0 advantage and never looked back as the team won all but one of the singles matches.  In doubles, the #1 team of senior Eric Wagar (Yakima, WA) and Cook and the #2 duo of Reading and senior Zack Hasenyager (Santa Barbara, CA) blanked their opponents, 8-0.  In addition, Hammond and Wong posted a strong 8-4 showing at the #3 spot.  The Bulldogs earned similar results in singles as their five victories came in straight sets.  At #2, Wagar dominated his opponent, 6-1, 6-3, while Trippel remained steady at #6 with scores of 6-1, 6-2.  Sophomore Aron Ouye (San Diego, CA) provided a 6-3, 6-3 victory at #3 as Reading captured a 6-2, 6-4 win at the #4 spot.  Cook also won in singles, posting scores of 7-6 (5), 6-0 at #5.

Redlands (13-1) takes on the #9 team in the country on Friday as Williams College (MA) arrives at Verdieck Courts for a 2 p.m. showdown.