The Palm Desert Aztecs boys tennis team won the CIF Division 2 title match by besting Santa Monica High, 10-8, on Thursday. It’s the Aztecs first CIF tennis title since 2002. Palm Desert was runners up in their last two CIF title appearances.
The Aztecs had lost in the finals on a games won tie breaker to Diamond Bar on 2008, and to Brentwood last year. This year, they took no chances, opening a 9-6 lead with three sets remaining, and a 20-game lead in the tie breaker.
The top-seeded Aztecs used a strong performance by their three doubles teams (winning eight of their nine sets) to seize the title. The teams of senior Nick Cummins/junior Jack Felich, senior Chris Bastardi/senior Blake Eggleston and senior Michael Durkin /junior Cameron McDonald built a lead that couldn't be beat.
Palm Desert finishes their season at 21-1, the lone loss coming to Division 1 Peninsula High.
