Two Perfect: Lions Repeat As State Champs
SAN DIEGO -- For the second straight year, the De Anza College women's badminton team will be taking the 3C2A state championship trophy back to Cupertino after defeating Pasadena City College 11-0 on Thursday. This is the fourth state championship for De Anza, having won in 2013, 2014, 2022, and 2023, all under the guidance of head coach Mark Landefeld.
The first point of the day was turned in by sophomore Malaya Paras-Mangrobang. She defeated Nikki Ching 21-8, 21-10. Not long after, Mountain Lions' freshman Anna Lac defeated My Linh Ly 21-8, 21-15.
De Anza's Renee Ou and Kelly Tran also converted on straight set victories, and in 45 minutes of play, De Anza was up 4-0.
The two most competitive singles match happened in the #1 and #2 slots. De Anza's Madison Moe took out PCC's #2 Cindy Zhao 21-17, 21-17. And in the most entertaining match of the day, a battle in which could have gone either way, De Anza #2 Heather Lee was able to defeat PCC's #1 Rhea Zou, 21-18, 21-18.
After sweeping the singles, building a 6-0 lead, attention turns to doubles play.
First team to turn in their scorecard, worth two points, was Moe and Paras-Mangrobang defeating Ching-Chao 21-5, 21-5. They were then followed by Jenny Nguyen and Phuong Troung defeating Leslie Lien-Bingbing Ouyang 21-4, 21-4. With the team overall score at 9-0, Ou-Lac then downed Zou-Zhao, 21-15, 21-8, capturing the 2023 title for De Anza.
"I really didn't expect this type of success today," stated Landefeld. "Every time you play against a great program like Pasadena City College, you must be prepared because they have the ability to beat just about anyone. Although we had some nerves at the start of the match, I reminded our players that this isn't a museum. If we play with a little more energy, we should settle in and let the game come to us."
The De Anza women's badminton team is the program that others try to mimic. Having now secured two back-to-back title runs, Landefeld says the secret to their success has always been about respecting the players.
"We like to celebrate all our victories and we look for challenges," adds Landefeld. "There really is no secret as to why we are successful. We always say our program is a big deal because we make it a big deal. And if you treat your players with respect, they will normally play harder not just for you, but the entire program."
De Anza takes a 34-match win streak dating back to 2020's shortened COVID season into next year.
Although the outcome favored De Anza, the coaching staff of Pasadena City College could not be more pleased with each player. 'I am so proud of this team,' said PCC head coach Jen Ho. "De Anza was just too good today, but we had our chances. Unfortunately for us, we just couldn't put runs together. We fought till the end; I couldn't ask for more."
The 3C2A State Individual Tournament continues at San Diego City College with competition on Friday and Saturday, May 12-13.
SINGLES
Heather Lee (DA) d. Rhea Zou (PCC) 21-18, 21-18
Madison Moe (DA) d. Cindy Zhao (PCC) 21-17, 21-17
Malaya Mangrongbang-Paras (DAC) d. Nikki Ching (PCC) 21-8, 21-10
Kelly Tran (DA) d. Basil Kintanar (PCC) 21-12, 21-1
Renee Ou (DA) d. Sophie Chao (PCC) 21-12, 21-11
Anna Lac (DA) d. My Linh Ly (PCC) 21-8, 21-15
DOUBLES
Ou-Lac (DA) d. Zou-Zhao (PCC) 21-15, 21-8
Moe-Paras-Mangrobang (DA) d. Ching-Chao (PCC) 21-5, 21-5
Jenny Nguyen-Phuong Truong (DA) d. Leslie Lien-Bingbing Ouyang (PCC) 21-4, 21-4
Release by Bo Navarro, 3C2A state tournament SID