‘My goal is to make it to state, if there is one’ Talented, deep Hinsdale South badminton team has high hopes

As a team, Hinsdale South had lofty expectations for the 2020 season.

The Hornets, as a team and coaching staff, all believed last season was set to be one of the best in program history.

There’s so doubt, even among the returning players, about the level of talent and depth of last season’s team. Hinsdale South senior Debra Hopkins certainly believed the team would be hoisting a trophy in Charleston.

“Last year’s team was truly amazing because we had so many different seniors who all had different skills which made that team so special,” Hopkins said. “At the beginning of the season, my coach explained his new system to partners for doubles and I truly thought that it would lead our team to victory.

“It really was a bummer that it had to be shut down because I just felt that we would’ve made it to state and even win it all.”

Led by senior captains Hopkins and Samantha Heinking and sophomore star Maggie Chen, the Hornets are set to embark on a mission this season to win a state championship after last season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Heinking said there’s unbridled enthusiasm throughout the program following the recent news by the IHSA to allow badminton to start practicing on Monday.

“I’m very excited to be back playing badminton this season,” she said. “I feel very fortunate that I will be able to participate in my sport this year. Missing last season was very difficult because I was really hoping to compete at the state tournament.

“I really hope to strengthen my skills in both singles and doubles. This year, I hope that the team can win the conference tournament and that we can qualify for state.”

Through their leadership and dedication, Hinsdale South coach John Charters said Hopkins and Heinking form the backbone of his talented team.

“Samantha and Brenda are two of the toughest workers I’ve coached in a long time,” he said. “They both achieve a 110% of their talent because they both put in 110% effort. That’s why they were both chosen captains this year. They both are great leaders in the school and even better people in life. The greatest thing about Sam and Brenda is I’m more excited to see what they are going to do in life.”

Charters also tosses lofty praise at the uber-talented Chen, the cousin of former Hinsdale South four-time state singles medalist, Judy Yang — the program’s most recent state singles champion in 2016.

“Maggie has the talent to rank up there with some of the best badminton players that have come through our program,” he said. “Maggie has worked hard in the club scene since she was very young. She has the potential to be a state champion in the next few years.”

Even though she’s yet to play a varsity match, Chen has nine years worth of experience to go with playing for Team USA and competing in a tournament in Mexico.

Chen said she’s excited to get back on the court after a light schedule since March.

“The pandemic has definitely caused me to play less then usual,” Chen said. “I don’t even remember the last time I’ve played a tournament. It’s been too long. But I’ve been training more to get ready for upcoming tournaments and season. My goal is to just have fun and make it to state, if there is one.”

Hopkins said she’s thrilled to start practicing with her teammates, especially after a trying offseason and raised the possibility of losing her final two seasons to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It has been very hard for me,” Hopkins said. “I mean, it’s my last year of high school and it really is a bummer that we had to spend it in these kinds of conditions, but I never lost hope for this badminton season.

“When I received the email stating that we can start badminton up again, I was excited.”

Heinking added she’s not bothered by a modified season because she expects the team to focus on having fun and winning matches.

“Since sports are such a large part of my life, it’s been very hard for me to not be having practices or games,” she said. “I haven’t been able to do much offseason training…But I’m ready to be ‘all in’ and work hard this season.”