| Unstoppable badminton team overcomes injury (4/08) | | Print | |
| Written by Jenny Ng | |
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Even injuries can’t get in the way of the girls’ badminton team’s undefeated season.
Senior varsity player Joanne Poon, the team’s top singles player, suffered a knee injury in an intense game against the Washington Eagles on April 8 that has sidelined her since then. Although Poon tried to tough it out, she came up short. Her loss due to her injury cost the team one of their five matches against the Eagles¬—their first match loss of the season. However, her teammates followed through and won the other four matches to rack up a final win. Poon had been a vital player in the team’s undefeated season. Her consistent wins helped place the Cardinals at the top of the ranks. Someone needed to step up. Enter freshman Oriana Chiu. Despite having been a doubles player before, Chiu skillfully uses offensive tactics that make her more than ready to fill Poon’s shoes. She smashes the birdie deep into the opposing court, making opponents draw back in order to return it. Then, when the opponent least expects it, she gently hits the birdie close to the net, faking out the opponent, who can’t race to the net in time. Even though this offensive attack tactic is common in skilled badminton players, Chiu uses it with amazing precision. She knows exactly where to hit the birdie and makes her opponents work to return it. Chiu “is doing a good job,” Poon said. “Playing singles gives her experience for next year. We were planning on moving her up from doubles to singles anyway. This way we’re not throwing her right in, and she can practice.” Chiu doesn't feel pressured by her new responsibility of replacing Poon. In fact, she prefers it. “It’s very different playing from doubles to singles,” Chiu said. “Playing singles, you’re more independent, and you can’t rely on anyone to cover backcourt shots. At times, it’s actually easier because you’re playing completely on your own skill and you rely on yourself; you can’t call for help. In doubles, you need good communication with your partner.” Communication and teamwork really are two skills essential to playing doubles. The Cardinals’ doubles teams have mastered these skills and have yet to lose a single match. They exhibit amazing teamwork on the court and know exactly when to help out their partners or go for it themselves. They spread out in the forecourt and the backcourt, ready for any unsuspecting birdies coming their way. Doubles pair seniors Joyce Lew and Tiffany Wong, for example, used their teamwork on April 8 to get revenge on the Eagles, to whom they had lost last year. Even the alternates are stepping up. Replacing Chiu as senior Nancy Mei’s doubles partner, junior Carmen Lee has made an impressive showing. The pair has yet to lose a single match. The girls’ next game is at 4 p.m. on May 1 at Lowell against Lincoln. |
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