Bishop Diego girls tennis punched its ticket to the CIF-SS Div. 8 championship with a 10-8 semifinal win over Tahquitz High on Wednesday in Hemet.
The Cardinals will face off against Santiago High in the finals on Monday at the Claremont Club.
“It was quite a celebration and the Cardinals were flying high,” Bishop Diego head coach Peter Kirkwood said. “It’s a surreal feeling that we have that we’re just going to win the close matches. We keep doing it. I’m not going to try and analyze any more than that.”
Natalie Chan and Haley Hubbs continued their dominant run atop the singles attack for the Cardinals, as they each swept their matchups and lost just one game combined.
Meanwhile, the Bishop Diego duos of Rafaela Fay/Avery Carter and Victoria Heredia/Sonia Marquez-Miranda each went 2-1 on the day to round out the scoring and secure the victory.
“Looking back to our early season matches where we struggled mightily in doubles, it’s hard to believe these are the same girls playing now,” Kirkwood said.
“This team has bonded, and we are one big Cardinal unit rolling through the CIF. It’s been really fun being able to hang out with this group for a few more weeks than planned.”