With the upcoming spring sports tryouts on March 3rd, the ETHS girls’ badminton team is gearing up to start their season after a winter of preparation. They’re a team to watch, with a focus on building team spirit and performing well during the championship season.
Last year, the team made significant strides, sending doubles team Delcy Garfield (12) and Arnie Gopez (12) to the State meet, where they played hard and narrowly missed the second-day cutoff. Building off this energy, returning junior Anna Hanson is excited for the opportunities this season will bring.
“I’m really looking forward to just being with the team, because everyone who does badminton is super sweet. And in the sport itself, I love the level of seriousness. It’s very competitive, but you can also have fun and goof around,” Hanson says.
Head Varsity Coach Karilyn Joyce is also looking ahead to the team’s spring roster. With three levels within the sport and roster cuts having been made last year, the turnout this season looks promising.
“I’m looking forward to the progress of all of our levels this year. This means the new freshmen coming in, the returning varsity players, and seeing what the JV has to offer,” Joyce says.
While badminton includes both singles and doubles in competition, Joyce hopes to emphasize the team aspect this year rather than focusing solely on individual performance. With a season running until the end of the year, maintaining team commitment and hard work will be key.
“Badminton is a team sport, and I want the girls to focus on helping each other out. This isn’t just about drills; it’s about spending time on and off the court together,” she adds.
Along with team chemistry, the mental aspect of play is one of the biggest challenges the Kits are looking to conquer this year.
“I feel like getting in the right headspace during a game can be difficult, because you’re kind of playing as an individual, and it can be stressful. This year, I want to make sure to play with the right mindset,” Hanson says. “I’m excited!”
