Manteca gave top-seeded Placer a scare in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division III team tennis semifinal Monday in Auburn.

The No. 5 Buffaloes won the top three singles matches but ultimately fell, 5-4. It’s the second time in four years that they lost to Placer on the road by the narrowest margin. The Hillmen (20-0) will look to repeat as D-III champions Wednesday at Zimmerman Tennis Complex at University of the Pacific.

Manteca (15-8-1) dominated at the top of the ladder. SJS Division II singles runner-up Hailie Kim took care of Sylvia Sorber, 6-2, 6-1. No. 2 player Reina Ngo won by the same score against Maddie Cadle.

Rae Limbago gutted out a 7-5, 1-6, 11-9 win over Brookelyn Dunkle from the No. 3 spot. At No. 5, Paisley Coenenberg ended her four-year career on a high note by downing Lauren Cadle, 6-2, 3-6, 12-10.

Saihaj Ghuman dropped the No. 4 match to June Guthrie, 1-6, 1-6. Ekam Ghuman fell at No. 6 against Adalynn Seely, 5-7, 3-6.

Placer swept all three doubles contests.

Maggie Terrell and Penelope Smith downed Ryan Gomes and Naomi Navarro 6-1, 6-1 in the No. 1 match. Kenzie Aronson and Avery Compton dispatched Caitlynn Vu and Ziqi Huang, 6-2, 6-0. Bella Gutierrez and Sierra Mills defeated Alyson Alvarado and Cataleya Estrada Perez, 6-2, 6-2.

Placer will face either No. 2 Christian Brothers (16-1) or No. 3 Merced (14-3) in the final.