Gauchos qualify for dual-team playoffs

The Saddleback men's tennis team qualified for the Southern California Dual-Team Playoffs on Sunday when the playoff seeds were announced.  The Gauchos will face Mt. San Antonio College on Tuesday in Walnut.

Saddleback had only qualified for the playoffs in two of the last 12 years but found out on Sunday that they will be a part of the post-season for the second straight season.  The Gauchos (12-8, 6-4) finished in third place in the Orange Empire Conference and were one of four OEC teams to make the field.

Mt. San Antonio (17-2, 6-2) finished in second place in the South Coast Conference, two games back of conference champion Cerritos.  The Mounties defeated the Gauchos 5-4 on February 11 in Walnut, making for an intriguing matchup in the opening round of the playoffs.

The winner will move on to face the winner of Irvine Valley College and San Diego Mesa College on April 12.

In addition to Saddleback and top-seed Irvine Valley, two other OEC teams qualified for the playoffs as Orange Coast College received the No. 5 seed and Riverside City College the No. 7 seed.

Match time on Tuesday is scheduled for 2:00 PM.