For the first time in its exemplary athletic history, Mater Dei High School of Santa Ana has reached the finals of the CIF-Southern Section Boys’ Tennis Tournament.

In the Division 3 semifinals on May 8, second-seeded Mater Dei defeated third-seeded Trabuco Hills 11-7, handing the Mustangs only their second loss of the year. The Monarchs (15-7) will take on sixth-seeded San Juan Hills (15-6) in the D-3 final on May 10, 1 p.m. at Claremont Club.

Mater Dei is bidding to become the first Catholic school from the Los Angeles Archdiocese or Orange Diocese to win a CIF-SS title in boys’ tennis since Santa Margarita won the D-2 title in 2015. Two years ago, J.Serra reached the D-3 final, losing to Buckley.

In Division 4, No. 2 Bishop Montgomery (13-5) lost a semifinal heartbreaker May 8 to third-seeded Flintridge Prep, 74-62 in games after the teams had tied 9-9 in sets.  

Mike Nelson is the former editor of The Tidings (predecessor of Angelus News). 

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