From Brandeis University Athletics
The Brandeis University women's tennis team won its second showdown with another top-40 team of the season today, as the 19th-ranked Judges defeated #35 University of Redlands, 7-2, on the Judges' annual California trip. Brandeis improves to 4-0 on the season, while UR falls to 3-1.
The Judges opened the scoring at No. 3 doubles, with juniors Keren Khromchenko (Manalapan, N.J./Allied Academy of Health and Science) and Michele Lehat (Great Neck N.Y./John L. Miller Great Neck North) taking an 8-3 decision. The Bulldogs answered at No. 1 with an 8-4 win from Sarah Ikioka and Liz Johnson, but Brandeis took the lead into singles with an 8-4 win at No. 2 by senior Haley Cohen (Cherry Hill, N.J./Laurel Springs Prep) and rookie Lauren Bertsch (Middletown, R.I. / LaSalle Academy).
In singles action, Khromchenko picked up the Judges' third point at No. 3, 6-3, 6-2, while junior Olivia Leavitt (Falmouth, Maine/Falmouth), won 6-3, 6-3, at No. 4. Redlands' Ikioka defeated Brandeis' Sabrina Ross Neergaard (Port Orchard, Wash./Laurel Spring Prep), 6-3, 6-1, at No. 1 to hold off defeat, but senior Cohen clinched the match at No. 2 with a 6-2, 6-4 victory. Bertch (6-2, 7-6 (7-3), No. 6) and Lehat (6-4, 6-4 at No. 5) rounded out the win.