Assistant coach Kevin Quick  builds a gameplan with seniors Emily Santos and Kaiya Curley during their doubles match (Nick Hogan/AZPreps365)

Nick Hogan is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication student assigned to cover Mountain Pointe High School for AZPreps365.com

 

PHOENIX-- After defeating Maryvale High School 7-2 in Wednesday afternoon's match, Mountain Pointe High School badminton improved to a record of (3-2).

The Pride dominated all afternoon, losing only one singles and one doubles match despite competing without their varsity two player, senior Alyssa Figueroa. Figueroa played a crucial role in the Pride's 5-4 win over Cesar Chavez High only one day prior, leaving Mountain Pointe without one of its best talents. 

Although Mountain Pointe was without Figueroa, its varsity one player, senior Kaiya Curley, was more than ready to play as she led the way to victory. Curley quickly finished her singles match against Maryvale senior Lily Moreno, winning the first two sets 21-10 and 21-9. Curley was very strategic in where and how she placed the birdie in her first match. 

“I like to clear it to the back corners, and drop it to the sides and the front,” Curley said. “I play aggressive.” 

Curley’s great play translated to her doubles match alongside teammate and fellow senior Emily Santos. In the pair’s first-ever match together, they outscored their opponents, Maryvale seniors Annali Mercado and Esme Hernandez, 61-53 total in a three-set victory. They struck the shuttlecock with a velocity that was too much for the Panthers to handle. Santos was impressive as well as she placed just enough touch on the birdie to throw off Mercado and Hernandez. 

Santos had big shoes to fill. Figueroa was unable to attend the match because she was with her club softball team, leaving Santos to fill in for Figueroa. Adding to the pressure, this was Santos' first game of the season due to conflicting schedules with badminton and her job as a secretary at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Parish. Santo’s busy work schedule has led to lots of time away from the team.

“I only go to practice like twice a week and then I miss most of the games," Santos said. "That’s why today was my first game."  

Santos lost her first two sets in her singles match by scores of 21-17 and 21-7 to Mercado. Luckily for Santos and the Pride, she was able to knock off the rust just in time to get the last laugh against Mercado in her doubles match with Curley. 

Santos’ loss in her singles match was quickly covered up by the success of her teammates. Senior Ellysa Hernandez, freshman Evita Delgado and juniors Ella Graves and Kenadee Terry all tallied victories in their singles matches. 

Momentum stayed with the junior tandem of Graves and Terry as they defeated their doubles opponents by a wide margin. Graves and Terry took the first set 21-15 before obliterating the Panthers 21-2 in the second set. Grave’s fantastic serves shined bright during the blowout victory. 

“I served 16 times in a row…a couple of them were returned but it was 16 straight points,” Graves said. “One of them was really centered in the court so I hit it off to the side every time.”

Although the Pride have posted a winning record to start the season, the team’s focus remains on building players’ confidence rather than wins and losses. 

Last season Mountain Pointe High School's badminton program was anything but impressive, as it finished with zero wins (0-11).

Although the Pride’s 2020 season would lead some to believe differently, Mountain Pointe badminton used to be a force. The Pride won three state championships between 2002-2007 under former head coach Kevin Quick. 

The key to Mountain Pointe’s quick turnaround may be Quick himself. The former state-champion head coach has returned to the staff as one of current head coach Anthony Leather’s assistants. 

“The success of Mountain Pointe, the last few years, hasn’t been what it used to be,” Quick said. “It used to be a big powerhouse and everything. We used to have a lot of dual-sport athletes coming out.” 

Since Quick's return to coaching, the Pride has been headed the right direction. Quick’s focus has been building confidence and helping his players believe they can win. 

“Anytime we walk into the gym, we’re trying to just improve ourselves and get that win," Quick said. "You know, try to have more confidence coming onto the court because the last few years they haven’t had as much confidence coming onto the court and thinking that they have a shot to win."

With such low expectations entering the season, Mountain Pointe’s early success has been extremely impressive. Although the team’s current success is very intriguing, it is not nearly as captivating as what the future may hold for Mountain Pointe badminton. 

As Quick wins the locker room and raises players' confidence, it seems that once again victories will be more regular than rare for Mountain Pointe badminton. Only time will tell if Mountain Pointe can return to the powerhouse they once were, but a 7-2 victory over Maryvale is a great place to start.