RIVERSIDE — The Arlington girls tennis team encountered new challenges throughout the season. Arlington captured the River Valley League team championship last season, but the program returned to Ivy League competition this year. The Lions passed the first test, winning the league title in unbeaten fashion while outscoring the opposition by a combined score of 149-31. A more daunting road was awaiting them, however. Arlington has competed in Division 4 bracket of the CIF Southern Section playoffs each of the past four seasons. The program was placed above the Division 4 level of the section playoffs only once between the 2014 and 2023 seasons (Division 3 in 2016). The 2024 season marks the first time the Southern Section used in-season power ratings to determine the makeup of the playoff divisions. Arlington’s success on the court this year led to a final ranking of No. 40, and the Lions were given the No. 1 seed in the Division 2 bracket. The Lions had a first-round bye and beat Woodcrest Christian on games in the second round of the playoffs last Friday. Arlington’s journey this season came to end Monday afternoon, however, as Chadwick pulled out a 10-8 win over the Lions in a Division 2 quarterfinal match. “This group has shown so much grit and determination. They weren’t going away without battling until the very end,” Arlington coach David Gomez said. Despite this loss, Gomez was proud of how his players raised the profile of the program. He is an alumnus of Arlington and served as an assistant to longtime coach Eric Biddle before taking the reins six years ago. The Lions were one of only two Inland squads to advance to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs this season. Vista Murrieta was the other and lost to Dos Pueblos 15-3 in a Division 4 match Monday. Gomez fielded the most experienced team in his coaching tenure. Ten of the 14 players on the roster are seniors, including 6 of 9 starters. “It’s a bit unfortunate for us that this is the first year with this new system in place,” Gomez said. “I think if we would’ve been still playing in the old system and been in Division 4, or even Division 3, this team would have had a really good chance to win a section championship. “But that’s life. We’re not the only ones this happened to… And I teach my girls to go out and play their best against whoever were given.” Arlington (17-3) was in danger of falling into a rather deep hole after the opening rotation Monday, but No. 3 singles player Jordyn Nguyen won her first set 6-3 to get the Lions on the board. And No. 3 doubles team Kylie Turner and Edelline Andra pulled out a 6-4 win, as well. Chadwick (13-3-1) maintained the two-point lead after the second rotation, thanks in large part to the strong play of its top singles players, Ella Goedemans and Kaylin Anastasi. The duo dropped only a combined five games during the first two rounds of play Monday afternoon. The Lions needed a big finish in order to win because Chadwick had a comfortable 55-43 lead on games heading into that final rotation. Julia Torres, Arlington’s No. 1 singles player, scored a big point for the Lions when she defeated Anastasi 6-3 to finish out her day of play. And No. 2 singles player Madison Garthe picked up Arlington’s seventh point of the afternoon when she knocked off Greta Phillips 6-2. Chadwick was clinging to an 8-7 lead, and all eyes turned to the doubles courts. Arlington’s No. 2 doubles team of Joannah Silvestre and Brianna Rodriguez were victorious 6-2, but Chadwick secured the decisive points when its top doubles teams won their sets 6-3 and 6-2. “It was anyone’s match there at the end, and Chadwick came out on top,” Gomez said. “I’m proud of these girls because they have worked so hard throughout the season and accomplished so much… They never gave up today, and for that reason alone I can’t be disappointed.” Related Articles High School Sports | Inland cross country league finals roundup: Woodcrest Christian’s Eyan Turk wins fourth title High School Sports | IE Varsity’s CIF State and CIF Southern Section playoff schedule for Tuesday, Nov. 12 High School Sports | IE Varsity’s high school football rankings, Nov. 11 High School Sports | IE Varsity’s CIF Southern Section second-round football playoff schedule High School Sports | Six Inland girls volleyball teams begin quest for CIF State championships this week Another thing Gomez was proud of Monday afternoon was that each spot in the starting lineup scored at least one point for the Lions. Torres and the doubles team of Silvestre and Rodriguez won two sets apiece Tuesday. Arlington’s No. 1 doubles team, Charlotte Perkins and Amelia Heydari, also scored one point for the Lions. “It’s been that way all season long,” Gomez said of the contributions throughout the lineup. “It really has been a total team effort for us.” And another challenge awaits Gomez next year with only four players — all doubles players this season — slated to return to the program. “It’s going to a be a bit of rebuilding year, but I am determined to keep this program playing at the highest level possible,” he said.