LO girls tennis feeling strong in 2023

The Lakers are 4-0 so far and have no intention of slowing down this spring.

Team: Lake Oswego girls tennis

Coach: Sherri Sacconaghi

Team Leaders: Sophomore Lina Johnson, junior captain Ava Kitchin, freshman Molly Eames, freshman Ella Chang and junior Ella Eames.

Singles: Johnson is off to a solid start at No. 1 singles, Kitchin is unbeaten at second singles, Molly Eames has won her last two matches at No. 3, and freshman Ella Chang should be strong, too.

“Johnson … works hard on her game and is always looking to improve. She has beautiful, deep, topspin groundstrokes with an ability to move her opponent around the court,” said LO’s first-year coach Sherri Sacconaghi, adding that Kitchin has “powerful groundstrokes and an ability to show patience until she sees a way to end a point,” while Molly Eames “has a great sense of the court and smart shot selection.”

Junior Renae Liu and senior Cyndee Li will see time in both singles and doubles.

Doubles: Junior Ella Eames and sophomore Erin Kim have held the No. 1 spot in two of the Lakers’ four matches so far, and sophomore Kate Eames and sophomore Rachel Khalili have played second doubles twice in the young season.

“Kate Eames and Rachel Khalili are a strong doubles team for the second year in a row,” Sacconaghi said. “Kate has a nice driving shot and Rachel has quick reflexes at the net.”

Also ready for varsity doubles time this year are junior Olive Erdman. junior Rian Murphy, sophomore Emily Kitchin, sophomore Kira Pihlstrom and freshman Elise Schmidt in doubles.

League Race: “They love to compete, to challenge themselves and strive to improve their games,” Sacconaghi said. “What has been most impressive is they way they genuinely enjoy being on court together and encourage each other to be the best they can be on and off the court. They are so fun to coach. This team will fare very well in the league.”