TEMPE, Ariz. – The Corona del Sol Aztec badminton team picked up a victory on Thursday night against the visiting Queen Creek Bulldogs by a score of 9-0. The match as a whole was never in question for the Aztecs as only one of the nine matches went to a third game.

Merilyn Li, Michelle Chen, Allie Pequeno, Chloe Kuhl and Jen Tran all won their singles matches, 2-0, while Angelina Zhang won 2-1. In doubles, the pairings of Chen and Pequeno, Li and Zhang, and Kuhl and Tran all won their matches by a score of 2-0. With just a few games remaining on the schedule, coach Katie Pick was very pleased with the performance.

“Just working together, them working together, pulling through a victory…they all want to work together,” Pick said.

That teamwork was on full display as the Aztecs dominated their doubles matches. Each pairing on the squad looked like a well-oiled machine working together as one unit. It seemed as though every time one of the partners made a mistake, the other one had their back. And that feeling was something that carried throughout the team and has become part of their attitude.

“Communication, for doubles you really have to talk with your partner to make sure you guys are in the right positions on the court. And then you guys can hit the correct shots you need to get the point,” Pequeno said.

Hitting the correct shots was something the Aztecs did time and time again. They displayed the ability to use both power as well as finesse to win points. Each shot was also carefully placed, and they were able to turn their defense into offense.

“For me, personally, I was working on my smashes. Overall we’re a great team because when we get up to warm up, we help each other and we focus on each other’s weaknesses,” Zhang said.

There wasn’t a whole lot of weaknesses to work on, and there hasn’t been for most of the season. The Aztecs have been a power throughout the fall, just as they were on Thursday, as they currently sit at number 6 in the rankings.

With it being one of the last home games for Corona, Thursday was senior night. All nine seniors were recognized postgame for their contributions to Aztec badminton, and it was something that Pick feels was a driving force in their win.

“Tonight was senior night so they were ecstatic, they got to choose what night they wanted it and they really wanted this,” Pick said.

The Aztecs fed off the atmosphere throughout the entire match.

“I was just looking forward to the team energy because this is one of our last home games…I was looking forward to the energy and the sense of community that we always have,” Li said.

The Aztecs have big aspirations moving forward as they hope to play a major role at the state tournament. Team goals are complemented with individuals being able to compete for their own titles, as well. Corona del Sol will return to action on 4 p.m. on Oct. 13th when it hosts Desert Vista.