Recent North Kitsap High School graduate Teegan DeVries has committed to the University of Idaho to continue her tennis career.

While at NK, DeVries finished third in the 2A state singles tournament May 24 at the University of Washington, falling to eventual state champion Rhoda Wang of Pullman 2-0 in the semifinals. She responded to place third at state by beating Cece Combs of Bainbridge 2-0.

Before state, DeVries won her fourth consecutive league title and also captured the district title for the first time.

DeVries initially got her start in tennis in seventh grade when she started doing drills with her dad, Jay DeVries, who coaches the boys and girls teams at NK. Jay helped Teegan practice different shots and serves, but he said he never forced Teegan to go out and play. Jay also worked on basic skills and helped her to learn the “nuances of the game.” Teegan improved rapidly, largely due to her physical capability of being able to “do things with a tennis racquet that many young kids just can’t do,” Jay said.

Teegan took her improved tennis play into her freshman year of high school, where she took hold of the No. 1 singles spot. She earned seventh at state her freshman year and then improved one spot during her sophomore year, placing sixth. The closest Teegan ever got to claiming a state title was when she finished second during her junior year.

Jay noted that, over the years, Teegan grew much more confident in her own ability to perform through playing the boys on her team as well as with Jay and the guys he played with. Teegan also played against the “best girls in the area” and began to trust herself more and more as she progressed through each season.

When Teegan was deciding where she wanted to go to school, she was also considering the University of Washington and Oregon State University. Jay said that Oregon State almost won out, but the school didn’t offer the degree Teegan wanted.

Teegan chose the University of Idaho to pursue her Education degree because “they have the exact program I want,” which would allow her to go to school for four years and then do a master’s program online at home. Teegan’s grandmother and Jay also went to the University of Idaho.

Jay notes that when Teegan puts her mind to something, it’s tough to slow her down. Teegan “loves” winning, as well as the accolades that come from winning, making her highly competitive and indicating that she has a drive like no other.

Jay said his expectations could never match Teegan’s expectations for herself at the collegiate level.

“That girl has always been motivated,” Jay said. “I never had to ask her if her homework [was] done, or if her project in class was done, or why she didn’t turn something in.”