Badminton team strengthened by freshmen

Thanks to the No. 2 varsity girls’ doubles team, the Falcons edged 16-14 in its first league matchup on March 25. 

Last year, Saratoga lost to Cupertino 14-16 because the girls’ varsity doubles No. 2 spot lost. This year, however, freshmen Spring Ma and Megan Fung were able to pull out a 2-0 win over Cupertino.

In the past, the girls have generally been a weakness for Saratoga; however, this year that has changed. According to assistant coach Chris Do, the girls have improved a lot and have made the team solid. 

Key additions for the team this year include Ma, Fung and freshman Josh Li and Jason Zhao.

According to senior captain Matthew Lee, the new freshmen have also positively impacted the team this year.

“The freshmen are doing well at the spots they're playing,” Lee said. “It's good that we have them because they'll be the ones leading the team in future years.”

Still, the team continues to relies heavily on veteran players to pull out wins.

In the game against Cupertino, juniors Max Chang and Kevin Lian managed to come out victorious against a strong pair from Cupertino in the varsity boys’ doubles two spot.

“Kevin and Max are one of a kind of a pair,” Do said. “Out of everyone on the team, they have the best chemistry and mental game.”

According to Do, the team has a great chance of placing first this season.

“I'm very confident in my team,” he said. “All of them practice very hard and have improved a lot since last season, with all of my players placed in the current positions, we’re bound to do well.”