The York badminton team continued its successful season by winning the West Suburban Conference Silver Division championship.
York went into the conference tournament with a 5-0 mark in duals (including a 9-6 win over Hinsdale Central) and had all the possible points a team could score heading into that event.
The Dukes had a 14-2-1 overall dual record through late last week, which included recent non-conference wins against Buffalo Grove (6-2), Libertyville (5-3) and New Trier (7-1).
York also took third place at the 16-team FeatherFest invitational.
“Both our singles players and doubles teams are excited about their continued improvements, which fuels their desire to compete to win,” York coach Gena Fite said.
“The team has gotten better at shot selection and the ability to control the shuttle to precise locations on the court. We have also been working on some deception shots and touch shots. All the girls are having fun, which makes for a great competitive atmosphere.”
Of particular note, freshman Madison Leighton had a 29-9 record through late last week and was riding a 23-match winning streak.
York has received key contributions on the singles side from Maryn Banta and Sophie Hummel.
“Maryn and Sophie are playing well,” Fite said. “They are strong and fast and able to spring back after long and exhausting rallies.”
On the doubles front, the teams of Emily Butterly and Abby Saltiel and Emily White and Zarria Carter also have excelled.
“Emily Butterly and Abby are a lefty-righty combination and are working well as a team utilizing their lefty-righty combination to their advantage,” Fite explained. “Emily White and Zarria are a dynamic team and very fun to watch.”
York is part of the Hinsdale South sectional that is set to take place today in Darien.
Those singles and doubles teams that advance will head to next weekend’s state finals meet held at DeKalb High School. York will have two singles and two doubles entries at Hinsdale South.
“With six players to work with, we can give them all specific attention to detail to continue helping them improve their games,” Fite said.
York tied for 13th place in the state last year with its three entrants (one singles and one doubles team) winning a combined six matches.
