Anya Gore, coming off of a knee injury, ran back and forth rallying with opponents, contributing to the only points scored by the El Camino College Warriors.
Gore scored three points with assisting help from teammate Montilla Winyaworapon during a doubles match where the two were paired together.
“I’m persistent, “ said Gore, an 18-year old business administration major who is ranked as the team’s top player. “I’m fast … I have a big drive and am not willing to give up.”
In a fierce singles match with long rallies and fast dives toward the shuttlecock, Olympians’ top player Mylene Kesphasect took the win over Gore, aiding in her team’s 14-3 win Friday, April 11 at the Manhattan Beach Badminton Club.
The game consisted of a variety of singles and doubles matches, with doubles holding more value in the point system.
While a singles match win is valued at one point, doubles are worth two points.
Warriors single-match player Shanaya Shaj, a 19-year old biology major, shares where her focus lies when preparing for a game.
“I put a focus on my weaknesses. I’m weak at smashing because I do not have much upper body strength,” Shaj said.
Both the Warriors and Olympians teams consist of only first and second year students.
“We have two returning players this year and I would say we are stronger at the lower levels in terms of number four, five and six,” Olympians coach June Andrews said.
The two teams’ practice strategies differ the weeks leading up to the game.
“Focusing on individual skills and weaknesses… [is] a way for everyone to improve,” Warriors coach David Levin said.
While the Warriors focus on individual skills, the Olympians put their focus on drills.
“We do a lot of drilling, so we do a lot of training, footwork drills … [it’s] a general practice with everyone,” Andrews said.
Pre-game rituals consist of various warmups for Kesphasect, a 20-year-old biology major.
“First drives, then second clears, then third back drives,” she said.
The Warriors’ badminton team next goes up against the San Diego City College Knights on Wednesday, April 23, at an away game located at SDCC’s campus.
