The high school girls badminton season began last month at schools across the state. West Valley Preps and Surprise Independent asked local high school coaches about how their team’s season has gone so far. Here are their responses.

Shadow Ridge Stallions

Coach: Andrew Engwall (fifth year)
2021 Record: 3-9 (Did not reach playoffs)
Region: Division I Metro
Who are your top returning players? Shadow Ridge’s top returning players are both in their second seasons on varsity: Kayleen Laramee and Jillian Young.
Who are some of the newcomers that are having an impact this year? The varsity has
already benefited from, first time varsity player, Jordan Hart’s contributions. All three of these girls have been instrumental to our team this season.
What is your team’s best attribute ente this season? Our best attribute is that the girls are a genuine TEAM. They compete for each other, and support and encourage each other no matter what.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? Our main goal is to win the Metro Region title, and our secondary goal is to remain a competitive team that upholds the values and ethos of Shadow Ridge High School.

Valley Vista Monsoon

Coach: Rebecca Milobar (fourth year)
2021 Record: 6-7 (Did not reach playoffs)
Region: Division I Metro
Who are your top returning players? My top returning players are No. 1 Adela Alvarez, No. 2 Mary Ann Chavez and No. 3 Daniella Fincham.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? I have two ninth graders on our varsity team this year. They are young but they are working hard and are improving each week.
What is your team’s best attribute so far this season? Dedication and hard work. Because of our gym situation, we start practice at 5:20 a.m. each day. Not many high school athletes would do that.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? Individual goals: To give 100% at practice and on the court. Take what we have learned at practice and implement against our opponents. Primary team goals: To win our region. We will definitely have to work on it and never give up.

Willow Canyon Wildcats

Coaches: Matthew Aragon (third year in badminton)
2021 Record: 2-13 (Did not reach playoffs)
Region: Division II Phoenix
Who are your top returning players? McKenna Lee, Veronica Eddy and Mya Welling.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? Savannah Herzog and Sydney Hrabak.
What is your team’s best attribute so far this season? They are all positive and want to do the best they can when playing. We have not always had the best team but during the past few years we have made huge improvments.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? We are hoping that McKenna Lee and Savannah Herzog can win the district championship this year again in doubles. We are hoping that Veronica Eddy can make it to the second day at state.