The Division I storyline is can University claim its third consecutive CIF championship?
It’s going to be harder than last year’s run, and that took the Trojans beating Santa Barbara on games.
The Dons are among the teams coming after University this season, including Thousand Oaks and Palos Verdes.

Here’s a breakdown of the CIF-SS Division I playoffs

Draw: 32 teams (click here for draw)

County teams: 18

Top four seeds: No. 1 University; No. 2 Thousands Oaks; No. 3 Santa Barbara; No. 4 Palos Verdes

Other Seeded county teams: No. 6 Mater Dei; No. 7 Corona del Mar; No. 8 Troy

Team playing with the most confidence: University. Trojans are the two-time defending champs, and aren’t likely to be challeneged until the final.

Team that must regain confidence heading into postseason: Woodbridge. The Warriors had a chance to win the Sea View League title, but lost twice in a week to rival Northwood.

Team with the highest expectations: University. They are expected to get to the final, if not win the whole thing.

Team with nothing to lose: Corona del Mar. The Sea Kings are on a collision course with the No. 2 seed Thousands Oaks.

Team most likely to surprise: Mater Dei. If the Monarchs get past Northwood in Round 2, they could play loose enough in against No. 3 seed Santa Barbara in the quarterfinals to surprise.

Outlook: If the brackets stay true to the semifinals, University defeated Palos Verdes once already this season. A possible quarterfinal match between Troy, which finished No. 4 in the final regular season poll, and University is fun for county tennis fans. Thousand Oaks is loaded with talent and poses a serious threat to the Trojans’ title defense hopes.

More playoffs:

Division V breakdown

Division V predictions

Division IV predictions

Division IV breakdown

Division III breakdown

Division III predictions

Division II breakdown

Division II predictions

Division I predictions

More from the boys tennis blog:

• Boys tennis: CIF Playoffs Division V breakdown
• Boys tennis: Valenica dominates Empire League finals
• Boys tennis: Latest on Saturday’s playoff situation
• Boys tennis: Top teams in trouble for CIF playoffs?
• Boys tennis: New CIF rankings (May 11)
• Boys tennis: Athlete of the Week
• Boys tennis: CIF playoffs Division V wild card matches

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