On the face of each badminton player, some sweat and a smile could be found.

Despite losing against Irvine Valley, 21-0, here, April 7, in a non-conference match the Warriors looked confident and satisfied by their play.

EC’s overall record after five inter-conference matches is 8-2 and the team is currently ranked No.1 in the conference, 5-0.

The women will be back for the second round of conference matches and will face Pasadena City tomorrow here at 3 p.m.

“We ended up losing today because the team (Irvine Valley) was excellent,” Rebekah Wanic said. “It was a

really good experience to play players who are superior to us.”

Coach John Britton agreed with Wanic, saying the competition against high-level players was helpful. Irvine Valley is currently ranked No.1 in the state and is the two-time defending state champion.

It also has some experienced players, including last year’s doubles state champions, Rulan and Rulien Yeh.

“I was consistent with my play; I didn’t make any mistakes,” Rulien Yeh said.

Rulan Yeh was also the No.2 singles player last year. The two are twins. Rulien Yeh said that she believes being doubled with her sister has been beneficial.

“Because we are twins, we always practice together. We’re always with each other,” she said.

“It was great watching the women perform against the Yeh twins,” Britton said. “Although the scores didn’t show it, we were hanging in there with some good rallies.”

Britton said that he believes the players learned a lot about themselves that day.

“I got a chance to play with the twins,” Sok Ian Leong said. “It was a privilege for me to play with them.”

Leong and Danielle Ruedas lost in their doubles game against the Yeh sisters, 15-1, 15-0.

“They let me know what I need to improve on and they also showed me, in the doubles game, how to cooperate with each other well,” Leong said.

Sabine Kuenstler, who has been bothered with injuries to both her knees for the last two weeks, said her knees are finally feeling a bit better.

She played a singles game against Rulan and Rulien Yeh.

“I lost both of the games, but I’m satisfied with my play,” Kuenstler said. “They were technically excellent. It was nice that I got some points from them.”

In the game against Santa Ana, April 2, the Warriors won, 11-10.

Britton said that Santa Ana had two very good players, but, despite that, the Warriors were able to come away with a win.

There are three conference matches left in the Warriors’ season. They will face Pasadena City, L.A. City and East L.A. over the next two weeks.

“The record we had at the first round of the conference games were really close, so it is hoped that we can elevate a little bit and win all three games,” Britton said.

Compared to the beginning of the season, the players are feeling more confident and positive about themselves after going through some tough games.

“I think I will do much better because I’m improving myself,” Leong said. “With more experience, I’ll learn what my weaknesses are and correct them.”