On March 19, Aragon’s varsity badminton team dominated against the Burlingame Panthers, securing a 25-5 victory. With a 14-0 record last season, the Dons continue to prove themselves as a strong opponent on the court.
The game began with a team huddle, followed by a team cheer, setting the tone for the competition ahead. The varsity team is composed of ranked singles and doubles players who compete in matches against similarly ranked players from the other team, while other members compete in exhibition matches. Despite the large number of players on the team, one of the team’s greatest strengths are their team chemistry and adaptability. From singles to doubles, teammates constantly support and encourage one another.
“Whenever there’s a tight or crucial match, we just line up and have an audience or a cheerleading crowd,” said junior and girls doubles No. 1 Allison Hsu. “Then we just cheer and clap for our team.”
These words of encouragement help the players keep their focus and stay confident during tough rallies and long games.
Throughout the game, the Dons played with high intensity, using various footwork techniques to gain the upper hand. Ellie Leo, sophomore and singles No. 1, reflected on returning to singles.
“I haven’t played singles in a while,” Leo said. “Normally I play mixed doubles, and it was really fun to get back into the spirit of singles, and I think it’s a really good challenge for myself.”
Despite the change in category, Leo shut down her opponent, winning 21-6, 21-1.
Other players also played a role in securing Aragon’s win, maintaining control of the game from start to finish. Senior and boys singles No. 2 Jayden Leo showcased his skill in maintaining composure and securing a victory for his game. Doubles pairs, including Hsu and her partner as well as Ou and his partner, executed coordinated plays and strong smashes, making it difficult for the Panthers to gain momentum.
The scoring system in high school badminton emphasizes both individual strengths and team strategies. Each category — boys singles, girls singles, boys doubles, girls doubles and mixed doubles — has three places. The top ranked players earn three points for the team, the second players earn two and the third players earn one point. This system allows teams to maintain fairness while placing more weight on higher-leveled matches.
Head coach Martin Chen praised the team’s effort and emphasized the importance of teamwork.
“They work well together,“ Chen said. “They help each other out. And it’s a good team dynamic.”
He also highlighted standout performances, including junior Chase Rokala, who competed despite being sick and still managed to secure a win.
In addition to their game performance, the Dons’ preparation leading up to the match played a key role in the team’s success. They practice every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, focusing on footwork, shot placement and playing with consistency. Players often do various drills and plays to prepare them for different opponents and game situations.
The match against Burlingame highlighted the Aragon team’s ability to stay disciplined and focused in their games despite the Panther’s offense. Although Burlingame brought fierce competition throughout the match, the Dons’ stability and communication gave them the ultimate advantage to advance through. By minimizing errors and maintaining control of their game, the Aragon Dons were able to secure multiple victories throughout each category.
With the 25-5 victory, the Aragon Dons now continue their season with new strategies and momentum. Looking ahead, the team hopes to build on this match and aim for strong results in upcoming games, keeping their sights set on CCS playoffs.
