The Perry Pumas badminton team defeated the Highland Hawks 9-0 Tuesday night in Gilbert.

For the sixth time this season, the Pumas blanked their opponent 9-0. They are now 7-0 overall and off to an excellent start.

Fresh off a 2017 Division I state title, Puma badminton coach Lerina Johnson is ready for any challenge.  “We have a couple tough matches coming up that we are preparing for but each week we try and add another advanced skill to our arsenal,” said Johnson.

A season with 18 wins and zero losses is quite a feat that Johnson and her players pulled off last year. Perry swept every team they played against last year except for Xavier Prep in section play.  

Johnson knows the road to October won’t be an easy task. Division I Premier is loaded with talent; Basha, Hamilton and Xavier are all teams lurking behind Perry in the standings just waiting for a slip-up. Currently in Division I Premier, Hamilton is 5-0. Basha rounds up third place with a record of 4-1.

The Pumas are in good rhythm right now with the help and leadership of senior Julia Mumme. Mumme, the lone returner from the state championship team, says she is hungry for another title but is staying humble most of all. “As a leader, I want to just encourage them and motivate them while still having fun. This season is very special to me and I want to end it with a bang.”

Highland coach Gene Valocchi and the Hawks are 2-4 this year after the loss at Perry on Tuesday. Valocchi remains optimistic about the teams future success. “We are continually getting better each game,” said Valocchi. This year, the Hawks only had one returning varsity player from the previous year when they went 11-4. Valocchi says his players are coming along nicely and is still very hopeful for the rest of the season.

The Pumas will look to keep it rolling next week with an exciting home matchup on September 18th against Mountain Ridge, the team they defeated in the 2017 state championship.