It came down to the last match Tuesday, but Ripon Christian’s mixed doubles team of Christian Runnels and Annika Jung held off Summerville’s Mathew Wood and Bella Wickman 7-5, 6-4 to give the Knights a 5-4 semifinal win in the Sac-Joaquin Section coed tennis playoffs at Ripon Community Park.

“That last match was exciting and it pumped up our kids,” Ripon Christian coach Melody de Abreu said. “It was a fun way to end the match, for sure. Their teamwork was absolutely on point to finish out the match and get us the win and send us to sections.”

The No. 2-seeded Knights’ girls singles and swept with Tatum Sonke winning 6-3, 6-3 and Kora Harris winning 6-0, 6-2.

“It has been a long season for these kids,” de Abreu said. “Our season began February 3, here we are in May and we are still going. There is obviously the physical aspect of playing tennis, but mentally this game can take a toll on you.

“A few of our players have had two and one-half hour matches this season in the cold, the wind, the rain and the heat, and they have stayed with it.”

Ripon Christian boys No. 1 boys single Drew Meester won 6-3, 6-4 and the Knights No.1 girls doubles Sophia Cheney-Brittany Dugo eked out a 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) win.

“We were undefeated in the TVL with it being our first season in the league,” de Abreu said. “It feels pretty good, and now we have the opportunity to possibly win sections which is an absolutely incredible way to finish our 2025 season.”

The Knights will play in the SJS championship game Thursday against top-seeded Colfax or No. 5 Turlock Christian at Oak Park in Stockton with the time to be announced.