The high school badminton season began Aug. 26 at schools across the state. West Valley Preps and Surprise Independent asked local high school coaches about their teams.
Here are their responses:
Desert Edge Scorpions
Coach: Stephen Kraynick (seventh year at Desert Edge)
Record: 1-13
Section: Division II Phoenix
Who are your top returning players? Gianna Craycroft, Samara Doversole-Williams, Amarachukwu Nnamdi-Geoffrey, Griselle Lopez-Coronel, Izabella Selbring-Trofin and Gurleen Dulay.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? Brianna Palermino and Jalene Taquiso.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? We have a very athletic, hardworking, super competitive team this year, who helps and support each other. Our varsity players took the junior varsity under their wing to mentor them and get them socially-emotionally ready for HS sports. They are a fun, unique bunch who brings out the best in each other, cheering in their matches, and maintaining a positive atmosphere.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? Team goals are to continually improve from last season, moving up the AIA rankings to try and get to top-30 this year. Individually would be to take our top doubles team and advance to the secondnd round of individual playoffs. Other goals are seeing everyone improve, get better, have fun and continually building the program on campus in the community.
Dysart Demons
Coach: Michael Anderson (seventh year at Dysart)
Record: 10-4
Section: Division II Phoenix
Who are your top returning players? Miley Savage and Emma Abare are my top two returning players.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? Diana Tellechea got some varsity playing time last year and is expected to make an impact for us this year at the varsity level.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? We hope to use our cohesiveness and determination to outplay other schools in our region.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? Our primary goal this year is to close/finish strong. Too often last year we were ahead in a match and let the opposing team come back. We have to finish if we are going to be a serious contender this year.
Shadow Ridge Stallions
Coach: Andrew Engwall (fifth year at Shadow Ridge)
Record: 5-8
Section: Division I West Valley
Who are your top returning player? Ava Caraveo (senior) is our varsity singles 1.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? Mylee Childs, Gianna Camarillo are two freshman newcomers that are playing important parts in the varsity squad.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? We’re young but ambitious.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? We want to be a competitive team at Division I level.
Willow Canyon Wildcats
Coach: Matthew Aragon (fifth year at Willow Canyon)
Record: 3-11
Section: Division II Phoenix
Who are your top returning player? Our top returning players are Angel Garcia, Eliana Groat, Jani Diaz and Madison Whynott. Angel and Jani placed third at our district tournament last year and they’re hoping for the top spot this year. Our district tournament is Friday, Sept 20.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? Jayden Lansdon and Elisabeth Colletti show a lot of promise for the following years. Jayden is a junior and Elisabeth is a freshman. They will definitely be our top players next year that show dedication and leadership.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? We have the most girls we’ve ever had this year, 23! The most we’ve had in the past is 14. There is a lot of competition for the top 12 that get to play in matches. If requires them to work hard and earn their spot to play.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? Our top goal is to win our district tournament this year and to bring the trophy back to Willow. An individual goal is for our doubles team of Angel and Jani to place in the top spot for doubles.
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