By Zina Garcia
Contributor
Paradise Valley High School’s varsity badminton team consists of an eight-player roster, five of whom are leaving the team next year.
In order to prepare for the loss of some of the more experienced players, Head Coach Cristal
Murray is allowing anyone within the high school the chance to be a part of her team. Further,
with badminton not being a popular sport Murray said it was important to her to introduce the game to as many students as possible.
“I have a system of different teams belonging to the badminton family at Paradise Valley High School,” said Murray. “I choose to not cut any players from our tryouts and I encourage anyone who wants to play.”
Likewise, Murray encourages her current players to advocate for the sport to all those around them and further their relationships with each other outside of badminton practices. Murray said doing so helps them make connections that help better their play on the court.
“Our team also encourages all team players to attend a team-bonding event and meet with each other outside of daily practices,” said Murray.
According to current senior player Katelyn Sullivan, this season’s tryouts had brought in the
largest number of new players she has ever seen. Moreover, Sullivan is optimistic that the new growth within her team will be able to compensate for the loss of her and her fellow seniors adequately.
“We had our highest numbers of girls trying out and we have the biggest team we have ever
had,” said Sullivan. “This allows for a lot of girls to be ready for next season when the senior
girls leave.”
The seniors currently playing bring confidence and a sense of commitment that is a foundational root within their team and the newer players are starting to display it. They are learning from the seniors during practice and adapting those honorable characteristics from them.
“I think having senior girls that have been playing with each other for so long [it] brings a sense of community,” said Sullivan. “However, almost all of our new team members have really committed themselves to the team and have gone above and beyond to show up for the other girls.”
Additionally, according to Murray, the character and attitude that the older players bring to the team is something that is to be valued and she is glad to see that within her new players.
“They are confident in themselves and show the younger players the importance of attending practice and the positive effects of cheering team members on during a match can have,” said Murray.
The Trojans, including player Jeannette Pedraza, are excited to see what the younger players can bring to the team to fill the vital roles of the seniors who are leaving. Pedraza is hopeful that the Paradise Valley badminton team will be good the rest of this season and next.
“I'm looking forward to creating closer bonds with my teammates [and] seeing how each of our players will grow throughout the season,” said Pedraza.
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