Mater Dei's tennis team. (PHOTO COURTESY MDATHLETICS TWITTER)
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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