Despite last season’s defeats, the girls on the badminton her hold their heads high and look to this season for redemption. One member has their eyes on the state final.
“Last year I was two points away, I lost 19-21 to a girl from Oswego, so my goal this year is to go to state,” Andrea Heagney, senior, said.
The season proved more difficult to other members of the team, and with that in mind, the girls will be practicing daily to improve.
“Our conference is extremely competitive,” Joe Hames , head coach, said. “Oswego and Joliet Central are well coached and have excellent athletes. The other Plainfield schools also have strong programs.”
Since the season is just starting, the team is focusing on shaking off the off-season rust.
“I am excited to get back into the badminton season and focus on improving my skills,” Grace Heisen, sophomore, said.
Hames will be counting on Heagney and other seniors to lead the way.
“Senior leadership is the key to a successful program, team, and season. Those veteran players understand the meaning and importance of the program’s expectations,” Hames said.
The team is ready to face the challenges that lay ahead this year.
“Every team has their struggles sometimes,” Caitlin Barnhardt, senior, said.
Barnhardt has played different sports and says that badminton is still her favorite among them because of the team.
“Friends are the reason I even joined,” Morgan Fix, senior, said.
The girls look to each other for support, according to junior Lauren Lotarski. She says that above everything, it is a team sport.
“Everyone is consistently supporting each other and there’s always someone on the sidelines cheering you on,” Lotarski said.
Lotarski isn’t the only one who feels that the teamwork dynamic is important.
“My favorite part of playing badminton is the friendships and the bond the team grows throughout the season,” Heisen said.
This bond is shared amongst the team, along with their character.
“Wilhelmi and I both place a great deal of importance on sportsmanship and character. We are blessed to have some of the very best students within the school participate in badminton,” Hames said.
Their first match is away at Fenton High School on March 19.