![At the bottom of the third inning, the Lions are still scoreless. Rowe stands at home plate, preparing to bat, while Vandenbrink stands off to the side as the next batter up. Despite having the bases loaded, the team was unable to score any runs. “It’s just the beginning of the season. We’re just going to be playing out best by June, [and] that’s where champions are,” Rowe said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3077-1200x900.jpg)
![All smiles. The group poses for a photo with last year’s book, “This is Our House,” along with their award for third Best in Show. Meikle, who was an Editor-in-Chief for the yearbook last year as well, holds both and stands at the center of the group. “That was an amazing feeling, going and grabbing the third place award,” Meikle said. “All of it paid off. I cried so much over that book, being able to receive [the award] was one of the highlights of my high school career, it was like the coolest thing ever.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/8bookpose_philly-1200x800.jpg)
Hoping to win the Girls Tennis Three Rivers League title, Emily Erbin, senior captain, wishes for a successful year.
“I believe the team is prepared because many of the girls have been playing outside of school and preparing for the season,” Erbin said.
On top of the goals set by the players, the team is under a new head coach this year. Justin Carrier is taking over the coaching job and is welcomed by the girls tennis community.
As the season is beginning, the girls feel that they will be able to transition into the season smoothly. Many of the girls are returning varsity members and have been practicing during the off-season, hitting multiple times a week in order to come into the season ready.
Many of the girls have shared a close bond over the years, and look forward to spending the season together as a team. The returning seniors, Sarita Hemmady, Eta Santoro, Kristin Nesbit, Alyssa Heath, Kami Vermillion and Erbin look forward to a successful season. Returning juniors include Macie Coronel, Nicole Campbell and Emmalee Scheid. The team also added two freshmen to its roster, Emily Brother and Rebecca Cruz.
“Being a senior, I am going to miss my little tennis family,” Erbin said. “We didn’t graduate many seniors last year so we are a very close group and I know we have many fun plans already.”
The team’s main goal is to take the league title once again and advance as far as possible in districts to make it to state.
“Many of us want to go to state this year, so the preparation and determination has been strong,” Erbin said.
Last year, the girls tennis team was very successful coming out of the season 6-2-0. With the tough loses against Lakeridge and Lake Oswego the girls plan to bring their best game this season and redeem themselves.
The Lions are scheduled to play their first away match of the season against Grant on March 21.
