Matthew Freer is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mesquite High School for AZPreps365.com

With an impressive 11-2 record and a No. 10 rank in its division, the Mesquite High School badminton team is looking to gain momentum for the upcoming playoffs and finish the regular season strong as it travels to Combs October 16.

“In the regular season, we wanted to improve on our record from last year – especially since we played the exact same teams as last year,” head coach Josh Anson said.

Last season, the team finished with a 10-4 record and a No. 12 rank in its division. It was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

This season, the team has improved: It’s 11-2 with only one game left.

To build on last season, the team focused on improving its power, footwork and communication. The main thing the team wanted to improve, though, was doubles matches, senior Erin Keefer said.

“We’re always trying to work better as a team as doubles pairs or even just to encourage each other to do better,” Keefer said.

The team morale seems to be strong, with players working on communicating and helping each other during games. This is crucial for doubles matches, since those are where the teamwork aspect shines the most.

Anson said that there is an even mix of young and experienced players on the team, so he’s been pairing them as much as possible throughout the season. This allows experienced players on the team to learn from helping the younger players. During game day, the players watch each other’s matches so they can learn from and get to know each other.

The October 16 game against Combs is crucial because Mesquite needs all the momentum it can get going into the playoffs, including trying to get a higher rank in its division.

“They’re a much improved team, so I think just going in and knowing what we need to do, focus on ourselves and do what we do best,” Anson said of Combs. “We need to focus on our game plan and make sure that our feet are active and we’re moving around the court quickly so that we can go out with a victory.”

After the game against Combs, the team will participate in the playoffs. Its priority is to get past two teams from its own section that performed well throughout the season.

This team has the potential to finish the season strong and perform well in the playoffs, Keefer said.

“I’d say this would be the year, if we were going to win one,” Keefer said. “I would be incredibly proud of us and I think we can do it, with how far we’ve pushed ourselves over the year.”

The team has also shown tenacity, junior Madilyn Russell said.

“I don’t think any of us ever give up, even if we’re losing,” Russell said. “It’ll be 20-0 and our girls won’t give up.”