Badminton team hopes to bounce back with rebuilt team

Head Coach: Charlie Situ is currently in his fourth year as head coach, after leaving Monta Vista.

Recap of 2016-2017 season: No. 1 Singles Senior Stephen Ding and No. 1 boys’ doubles player senior Josh Li qualified for CCS and placed second. The team finished with an overall record of 1-11.

League: El Camino Division

Key Matchups: Los Gatos, Homestead

Star athletes: senior boys’ No. 1 singles player Stephen Ding, senior girls’ No. 1 singles Mana Shimokawa

Key Additions: sophomore mixed doubles player Cameron Chow, freshman boys’ singles Ryan Hsiao

Key losses to graduation: No. 1 boys’ doubles Josh Li, No. 1 mixed Jason Zhao, No. 2 boys’ doubles Mason Tien, No. 1 mixed Spring Ma

Prognosis:

After a disappointing season with a record of 1-11, the Falcons dropped to the El Camino Division, where they expect to finish at the top of league and rise back up into the De Anza Division next season. Although the team has experienced some key losses through graduating seniors, there is an incoming flow of talent from underclassmen. Key additions include sophomore Cameron Chow and freshman Ryan Hsiao, who is nationally ranked.

“We’re pretty optimistic this year, especially with the talented incoming freshman boys and girls,” senior captain Catherine Zhang said. “I think there’s a solid chance we’ll finish first in the division and move up a league next year.”