“Our team is so close. We love doing activities together,” said Chandler High School senior badminton player Elieza Tang.

“We have a really big team and every year you meet more and more people, “ said Chaparral High School senior badminton player Leslie Appleton.

Two valley badminton powerhouses, two different divisions, all striving for one goal.

“It is the end, but I think it’s going to push us to do as well as we can at state,” said Chandler senior Amy Cappuccio. “And being on the team for four years has made it like we’ve been aspiring for this in the last four years.”

“We want to be state champions this year because we missed it last year,” said Chaparral senior Christina McGuire. “So that’s really our goal.”

The Chandler and Chaparral High School badminton teams have some strong seniors leading the pack this season. But it’s the support they get from their ring leaders that keeps them striving for the top.

“She knows the sport and she knows us,” said Chandler senior Kelsey Lafko. “And she makes it fun when your doing it.”

‘We wouldn’t be where we are if we didn’t practice six days a week, and if she didn’t work us as hard,” said Chandler senior Alheli Jacquez.

Chandler badminton coach Lois Emshoff started the program back in the 70’s.

“They have to learn that it takes a lot of hard work and a lot of extra time,” Emshoff said. “They have to give up their Saturday’s. And once they learn, and they’re successful, they love it.”

Chaparral’s badminton coach Carrie Davis has also been leading the Firebirds for several years.

“The girls’ know I take it very seriously,” Davis said. “I don’t just do this as a pastime thing.”

But while each team is working hard this season to perfect their hard-hitting swings, it’s also amazing to them how many people think what they do is as easy as kicking a ball.

“A lot of people say I could beat you,” said Chaparral senior Sarah Plitt. “And I’m like you really think three hours a day of practice, and you playing in PE, is enough to beat me.”

“They don’t think it’s nothing,” said Chandler senior Guadalupe Farfan. “And so once they get on the court, they actually realize how hard it is.”