In the case of Uni and CdM, the Sea Kings can be glad they won't see their rivals from five miles away again this year.
The format was different, but the results did not change the fourth time the Trojans and Sea Kings met this season. CdM's season ended after again losing to its Pacific Coast League nemesis, 7-0, in the format with four singles sets and three doubles sets.
"Uni really played well at all spots and just showed their depth," CdM Coach Jamie Gresh said. "I felt my guys competed hard. We had a good win against La Jolla, and to make the semis of this first-ever regional is a good accomplishment. I think everyone's a little bit tired, but I think everyone's still playing at a good level because we've been playing so much … Uni was just too strong at all those spots.
"I congratulate Coach [John] Kessler and that team because they're not just a strong team on the court, but just a great team sportsmanship-wise. It's always a good, friendly battle that we have with them, so I think that's probably the best part of our rivalry. Even though we've come out on the losing end four times this year, it's very high-class in terms of sportsmanship."
University, which won its fourth straight Division 1 title last week, is a match away from adding another notch to its ever-expanding belt. The Trojans will play San Marino in the SoCal regional final at 1 p.m. Saturday. San Marino edged Palm Desert, 4-3, in the other regional semifinal.
It was a tough way to end a successful season for CdM, which beat No. 4-seeded La Jolla, 5-2, in a regional quarterfinal earlier Friday.
Kessler said he believed his team's matchup against the Sea Kings should have been the championship match, not the semifinal.
