![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)
A big win at state and a doubles championship at districts has left Emily Erbin, senior, and Macie Coronel, junior, set to compete in the girls tennis quarterfinals at state after a 6-1 and 6-3 win against Oregon City in the second round.
“I’m very happy that we beat them,” Coronel said. “We beat OC every time we played them, so I was pretty confident that we would win.”
The duo are on a roll after taking home the Doubles Championship at Districts on May 2. Erbin and Coronel defeated Lake Oswego 6-2 and 6-0 during the final match to bring home the Three Rivers League Championship.
“It’s not like we were expecting it, but I’m really happy that we won,” Coronel said. “Last year I got third place, so it’s really rewarding that Emily and I won this year.”
As the season comes to a close, the state meet is bittersweet for Erbin and Coronel. The two were partners for most of Erbin’s sophomore year and all of this year. They have grown close not only as partners, but as friends.
“I am very sad that these will be the last matches I will get to play with Macie,” Erbin said. “She has been such a great partner and we have grown together so much as a team.”