After the blockbuster badminton team took the state championship home, the cast graduated. With one survivor left she is trying to carry her new cast to victory once again. After the assemblage took the win knew they were being watched, with knowing that some of the other smash hit teams are going to be challenging to beat they were up for it.

On paper,they were an inexperienced bunch with only one varsity player returning, but as
the season continues, the Pumas have shown the depth of their program,
trampling opponents on route to an 8-0 record.

Despite losing their seniors the new team has held up well. With the target on their
back from winning state last year they have a lot of pressure and hope to
continue their tradition of domination.

Head coach Lerina Johnson said there should not be any pressure on the 2018 squad; any
pressure the Pumas are feeling is internal. Judging by their early-season
success, PHS is playing as free and confident as ever.

The team plays pressure free and has a lot of fun! Sophomore Abbie Heckel said “We help
each other out a lot. We are all good friends and always motivate each other”.
Winning State last year did not affect the team’s playful nature at all.   

In late August, they cruised to a team tournament win in Highland high schools Flying
Feathers Invitational and the Firebird invitational. Julia Mumme was undefeated and MVP in the flying feathers. Mumme got 1st place in singles for the Firebird invitational.

The freshmen and sophomores on the varsity team have now been exposed to a
different kind of badminton which can improve their playing skills and
potentially receive a scholarship.

“The bar was raised and they are stepping up to it,” Johnson said.

The team has pieces to a puzzle that makes the team just right, with Heckel’s quick
strike, Mummes ability to anticipate where the birdie is, and Amanda
McLaughlin’s aggressiveness it makes the team work together perfectly. Mumme
seems to beat the birdie to the spot every time. It takes a lot of athleticism
to move from side to side so briskly. The team is a group of girls with an
amazing bond and that is what makes the team so great.  The team’s chemistry is admirable. They are all friends and support each other in just about everything they do. Some may have just met but they already have complete trust in each other and what they do on and off of the court.