The No. 18 University of Redlands men's tennis team suffered a tough 4-5 loss to No. 30 Southwestern University (TX) on Saturday afternoon in non-conference action.  After taking a 2-1 lead in doubles, the Bulldogs came up short in three three-setters en route to the close defeat.

Senior Brad Cummins (Rancho Mirage, CA) and junior Brysl Libao (Redlands, CA) fired off an 8-2 victory at the No. 1 slot in doubles to put Redlands on the board early.  Although Southwestern answered at No. 2, the Maroon and Gray regained the lead when first-years Donovan Lilov (San Diego, CA) and Michael Cabacungan (Palm Springs, CA) orchestrated an 8-4 win at No. 3. 

As the back-and-forth battle ensued, Redlands saw sophomore Andrew Yip (Honolulu, HI) secure a 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 5 to make it 3-2 for the home team.  After the Pirates evened the tally once again, Libao offered a gutsy 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 triumph at No. 4 to put the Bulldogs back in front.

However, the remaining two matches went the distance in three sets but finished in favor of Southwestern. 

Redlands (0-1) takes on NCAA Division II foe, Biola University, on Friday, February 21, at 2 p.m. on Verdieck Courts.