Badminton is undergoing a bit of déjà vu as their currently-undefeated season parallels last year’s record. With a highly-anticipated game against Xavier coming up on October 4, all eyes are on the team to see if the Pumas will finally conquer the Gators, or fall once again to the reigning state champions.

“We are expecting some good playing from Xavier so to prepare ourselves we will be putting in more drills to help us with our individual and doubles games,” said junior Bella Raponi. “So far we have not lost a game, and hopefully that will continue through the rest of the season.”

The players do not credit themselves alone for their success in the past few seasons, but cite Coach Lerina Johnson as their greatest asset.

Sophomore Julia Mumme said, “Almost all of my success in badminton has come from Coach Johnson. She pushes me every day to be a better competitor on the court.”

Coach Johnson, who has run the program through struggle and success, has crafted a team that boasts some of Perry’s highest athletic accomplishments.

“She encourages, inspires, and challenges us simultaneously,” said Raponi. “When I first started playing I could hold a racket and maybe get a few shots in, but Johnson is the one who really taught me how to play.”

With the blend of talent and motivation the players surely have, it will be interesting to see how Perry’s run for a second chance at state plays out.

“Perry has never been in a better position to take the state title in badminton,” said senior Katie Cross. “All the scenarios we have run, all the stats we have looked over, the math checks out. We are in very high contention to take it all this year.”

With the team rarely allowing their opponent more than two set wins in a match, the target is on their back as they head into the second half of the season. This does not worry the players, who believe this is Perry’s year to win.

Cross said, “You’ll see us straight through to the finals, I guarantee it, because we have no intention of slowing down.”