As the final matches wrapped up and the nets came down on Tuesday April 15, the badminton team left the gym languorous after a hard-fought 18-12 senior night victory over their crosstown rival, Gunn.
Senior and co-captain Andrew Li said his focus during his match was to enjoy the moment.
“Coming into the game, I just wanted to have a good game on my senior night,” Li said. “I told myself, ‘Just don’t give up. Just play my best badminton.’”
Head coach Gabriel Fossati-Bellani said the timing of the match, which was set immediately after spring break, presented a challenge.
“This is the first match (back from the break), and everyone came back really rusty,” Fossati-Bellani said. “But I think everyone was in high spirits because of it being senior night, and that’s what pushed us through to the win.”
Senior and co-captain Sarah Kobayashi said what she will miss most about Paly badminton is the sense of connection within the team.
“I really enjoyed being part of this team,” Kobayashi said. “I think it’s really nice to connect with younger students (because high school sports) is one of the only places where you can do that.”
Fossati-Bellani said seeing the seniors grow over their four years in the program has been especially meaningful.
“Some (of the seniors) have been playing since freshman year, when they were still playing with masks,” Fossati-Bellani said. “It’s nice to see this team make it all the way to the end.”
As a senior set to graduate in two months, Li said he encourages his younger teammates to truly appreciate their time on the team.
“Four years may sound like a lot, but it really goes by in the blink of an eye,” Li said. “Take it slow and don’t take anything for granted. Play hard, work hard, win, lose — it doesn’t matter, just have fun.”
