The UC High Badminton Team is confident that they will win the Western Conference this year, but they will have to beat their biggest rivals, Hoover and Scripps Ranch High Schools.

The Varsity Team, which has 14 players, and the Junior Varsity Team, which has 18 players, are directed by Coaches Robert Tu and Angel Chao, according to Unnoficial Assistant Coach Jordana Barrios. Their goal this year is to win teams and individuals at CIF. The season, which started February 21 and will end May 1, is progressing well, according to Barrios. “Everyone is starting to be in their A games,” said Barrios.

The UC Badminton Team excels at working as a team and encouraging each other but, according to Barrios, the team messes around too much. “We’re like a huge family,” said Junior Francine Ables.

“Hardwork and dedication make a good badminton player,” said Ables, who plays doubles and mixed with Seniors Phoebe Noval and Danny Kang. Ables said that she has improved since last year. “I’m starting to get my clears farther, which are high shots to the back court, so that you push your opponent back,” she said. One of her proudest badminton moments was during her “…freshman year, [when] Matthew Chao and I reached quarter finals in the rookie tournament at Mira Mesa,” said Ables.

Senior Oscar Liu stresses that Badminton, although played individually or in pairs, is a team sport. “We basically play other players in a single, doubles, or mixed game, but the score you collect overall helps your school team win,” said Liu.

“As of now, the whole line up stands out and that’s more than one person,” said Barrios. To train the players to perform their best, according to Barrios, the coaches drill them every day so they build up stamina and teach them how to play well under pressure by putting them in challenge matches. Their drills are composed of side touches, lunges, wall sits, and running. A good badminton player should possess good listening skills, attentiveness and coordination, according to Barrios.