Schools

De Anza Badminton in State Playoffs Thursday

The unbeaten women's team will meet the reigning state champions, unbeaten San Diego City College in Pasadena.

 

Go, Pinky, Go. It just feels good saying that.

If you're looking for a team to root for, look no farther than the De Anza Women's Badminton team (9 wins 0 losses), who are looking to upset the defending state champion, San Diego City College on Thursday.

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With Sheung Wi “Pinky” Li leading the way as Coast Conference Player of the Year, the De Anza women look strong in team, individual and doubles competition as they enter California State Team Badminton Championship  in Pasadena, said De Anza College Athletic Director Kulwant Singh.

Four De Anza women are competing as singles for the individual component, and two doubles teams vy for the doubles component of the State Championships.

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Li has been the standout player of the season, becoming the unanimous choice of Coast conference Player of the Year, Singh said in a written statement.

"Li has not lost a singles game, let alone a match, at the community college level this year (23-0 match record)," Singh said. "She has defeated last year's singles champion twice and the runner-up five times."

He noted that Li and Jessica Dinh, her doubles partner, are also undefeated in all matches (14-0).

The other doubles team also has some star power. "Team Ja", is De Anza's sisters doubles team of Katherine and Christina Ja (nicknamed, "K-Ja" and "C-Ja"). They are are 13-3 and have finished as runners-up to Li and Dinh in both the Orange Empire Conference spring tournament and the Coast Conference Championships.

The badminton team's coach, Mark Landefeld, was named Coast Conference Coach of the Year, Singh said.

"Congratulations to Mark and all the student-athletes on the Badminton team," Singh said.

 

Singles qualifiers:

1)  Sheung Wi “Pinky” Li, De Anza – Coast Conference Singles Champion

4)  Katherine Ja, De Anza

7)  Christina Ja, De Anza 

8)  Jessica Dinh, De Anza

Doubles Qualifiers:

1)  Sheng Wei “Pinky” Li / Jessica Dinh, De Anza — Coast Conference Doubles Champions

2)  Katherine Ja / Christina Ja, De Anza — Coast Conference Runners Up

 



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