Pumas top Hamilton at state; complete 3 peat campaign

Junior+Ashley+Rodarte+returns+a+birdie+at+the+Division-I+state+semifinals+Wednesday+night.+The+No.+1+Pumas+beat+No.+4+Mountain+Ridge%2C+5-2.+

Laney Wardell

Junior Ashley Rodarte returns a birdie at the Division-I state semifinals Wednesday night. The No. 1 Pumas beat No. 4 Mountain Ridge, 5-2.

 

After an undefeated 14-0 season the no.1 ranked Puma badminton team capped it off with a 5-0 sweep of the no.3 ranked Hamilton Huskies at state, the Pumas won all of their regular season matches by a combined score of 113 to 8 and their playoff matches by a score of 15 to 2.

This win marks the programs 52nd straight victory, the last time the team lost was Oct. 4th 2016 at state. “the girls have the attitude that they want to win, sometimes i think that a loss would help us refocus and get even better.” said head coach Lerina Johnson.

The Pumas had played Hamilton earlier in the year and beat them by a score of 6 to 3, their closest match of the year, however this time around they left no doubt as the team didn’t even have to play their doubles. The Pumas will look to 4-peat next year without Emma Braeutigam, Megan Dye, Mackenzie Holian, Sophie Jex and Sue Kwon, all are seniors.