Emerson Watt | Opinion Editor
November 7 , 2025
Coming off a challenging 2–16 record last year, the San Clemente Girls’ Tennis team has defied expectations and thrived in the 2025 season. Entering pre-season with renewed determination, the players set their sights high—aiming not just for improvement, but for recognition within the highly competitive South Coast League.
Although inter-school girls’ tennis competition often challenges even the strongest teams, San Clemente dominated this season—finishing second overall in league play. This impressive placing secured spots for three singles players and three doubles teams in the All-League Tournament, comprising 4 schools, Trabuco Hills, Mission Viejo, Dana Hills & El Toro, where they competed for individual titles and further represented Triton pride on the court.
In a round of grueling heat at El Toro High School, two days of 8-game pro sets and best-of-three matches came to a triumphant close for our Lady Tritons. In singles, junior Leilani Chavez battled through both the mental and physical demands of tournament play, advancing to the semifinals and earning an impressive 4th-place finish. In doubles, our top-seeded duo—senior Catalina Downer and junior Luisa D’Acosta—dominated the competition, securing a 2nd-place title. That wasn’t all for San Clemente’s presence on the court; senior Emerson Watt and junior Madi Snedeker faced three No. 1 seeds in a demanding day of play, ultimately finishing 3rd overall and solidifying the team’s outstanding performance across the board.
When asked about her performance in the league, finalist Luisa D’Acosta shared that she was “ecstatic about how [she] played, but with one more year left, [she] hopes to take home the first-place title.” Her words reflect the relentless drive that defines our Lady Tritons. Similarly, Madi Snedeker, who earned 3rd place in doubles, added, that she is “proud of [herself], but [she’s] striving for more—hopefully a first-place title next year.” Both players embody the team’s spirit of growth and determination, proving that success for San Clemente tennis doesn’t end with a single season.
This strong performance throughout league play earned the San Clemente Girls’ Tennis team a well-deserved spot in CIF Division 3, one of the most competitive brackets in the Southern Section, featuring the top 30 schools in the region.
The first round of CIF took place on Wednesday, November 5, against Cypress High School. With a combination of focus, teamwork, and determination, the Lady Tritons triumphed over the Centurions with an 11–7 match score, advancing confidently to the next round taking place today, Friday, November 7th, and proving their readiness for high-stakes competition.
Fueled by determination and a season of growth, the Lady Tritons step onto the CIF stage prepared to make an even deeper run and continue rewriting their legacy.
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