CLUB SPORTS — UCSD’s badminton team returned to action on
Jan. 11 in an exhibition match against UC Berkeley at Main Gym. The “friendly”
served as a much-needed tuneup for the team’s crucial league matchup with UCLA next
weekend. Following a two-month break, the Tritons used the exhibition to get
back into their groove.
“UCLA has always been one of our toughest opponents,” junior
co-captain Anthony Duong said. “It’s important to get some matches in before
facing a league rival, especially a team as strong as UCLA.”
The badminton program at UCSD has thrived over recent years,
becoming one of the nation’s largest, with close to 50 players and marked
enthusiasm from everyone involved. Each member has had plenty to root for; the
Triton badminton team has finished its season as national champions three out
of the last five years. In 2007, the team placed third at nationals, which was
hosted at UC Berkeley.
According to senior co-captain John Chen, with several
contributing freshmen joining the team, UCSD is optimistic it can return to the
top once again this year. The youthful experience, however, will take time to
flourish.
“Every new player has something unique to offer our team,
but it takes time to cultivate their talents into our lineup” Chen said. “The
hardest part for us is finding a way to integrate each player’s talent into the
lineup.
Many of UCSD’s competitors have enough quality players to
field only one ‘A’ team, but the Tritons receive so many interested players
that they are capable of filling as many as four full lineups. Because of this,
it has been tough for UCSD to get all of its members to play, but that doesn’t
stop the supporting cast from rooting passionately on the sidelines.
That was definitely the case against UC Berkeley, as Duong
and fellow co-captains senior Carol Chau and Chen had to pick their top 12 in a
revised format against the Golden Bears. Normally, badminton matches are played
with five events: men’s singles and doubles, women’s singles and doubles and
mixed doubles. Each event has three games for a total of 15 points that are
stake for the match’s overall score.
For this exhibition, UC Berkeley and UCSD elected to play
only two games in the three doubles events, using a total of only 12 points.
The Golden Bears managed to defeat UCSD, but the Tritons used their entire
lineup in the matches, while the Bears recycled players by using them in
multiple events, which is not allowed in league play.
Chen said the exhibition against the Bears proved invaluable
for the younger Tritons.
“This opportunity gave some of our most inexperienced
players a chance to play in a competitive setting against quality opposition,”
he said.
The Jan. 19 match against UCLA is the first of several
league matches that will take place over the next two months for the Tritons.
UCSD took part in league matches earlier in the season, but with upcoming
matches against defending champions UC Irvine and UC Riverside, there is still
plenty left on the schedule.
According to Chen, UCLA’s freshmen add to an already strong
squad, but the Tritons are determined confident they can succeed.
“[UCLA’s freshmen] have made a great team even better, and
it will be a challenge that our team is looking forward to,” Chen said. “It
will be crucial for our team to be mentally strong because I believe we have
enough talent to upset them.”
This year, nationals will be held in Maryland, and with
enough fundraising, UCSD is expected to make the trip for a tournament that is
open to every badminton program across the nation. With one of the nation’s
most successful programs, the Tritons hope to continue their winning ways.
