West Linn girls tennis ready to grow and compete

Lions led by top doubles team of Meg and Kate DeVall, Bucher and Drayton in singles.

Team: West Linn girls tennis

Coach: Bob Shevlin

Team Leaders: The 2023 Lions are led by senior doubles players Meg and Kate DeVall (they’re the reigning Three Rivers League champions and fourth-place finishers at state a year ago), senior captain and No. 1 singles player Kate Bucher, and freshman No. 2 singles player Sonya Drayton.

“Meg and Kate DeVall … are an awesome doubles team,” said West Linn’s first-year coach Bob Shevlin. “They know each other’s games very well. They complement each other on their shots and their shot selection. They are thinking players on the court and adapt their games.”

Singles: Bucher and Drayton lead the way at first and second singles for West Linn, with help from Meg DeVall, while junior Kiho Ishiguro and sophomore Rhianna Patel are ready at third and fourth singles.

“Kate Bucher is the leader and captain of the team. She plays with all her heart every day,” Shevlin said, adding that Drayton has “a very complete game. If I had to teach a backhand volley, Sonya would demonstrate the best method. I could see her dominating girls tennis in a few years.”

Doubles: In addition to the DeValls at the top of the doubles ladder, seniors Katelyn Drew and Caroline Nielsen will go at No. 2, senior Erin Drew and junior Ella Owen will play third doubles, and seniors Amelia Brown and Kaydance Monson are ready at No. 4.

League Race: While Shevlin wasn’t ready to comment on the 2023 Three Rivers League race, he knows what his goals are for the spring season.

“My role is to put out the best lineup that is available on any given match day,” he said. “My goal is to continue to have the girls develop their games and enjoy every day playing the game.”