VIDEO: GIRLS BADMINTON: Hornets look to keep state-meet streak alive

With multiple downstate appearances that include two state titles, a second-place finish and a third-place finish, Hinsdale South keeps finding an ideal recipe under eight-year coach John Charters.

Charters, who played for the Indiana University club team, has coached in the Hornets’ program for 15 years. When he began his badminton instruction, Charters also worked with former Chinese Olympic women’s coach Jian Liu, with whom he still corresponds. Liu is a member of the United States Badminton Association and an assistant coach at Neuqua Valley.

“We pick his brain every second we can,” Charters said of Liu. “There is always new things that he teaches.”

Maximizing Liu’s knowledge is not the only aspect that Charters attributes to the program’s success. Having a 16-court facility in the field house and developing the right athletes have helped. And when potential players enroll at Hinsdale South, Charters says it’s important to find individuals that have grown up playing other sports because local junior high schools do not offer team badminton.

“We usually have kids that are top academically and socially and are looking to give up their previous sports,” Charters said. “We usually get former tennis or volleyball kids. Then, we train throughout the whole school year.”

The highlight of the season has been the 11-4 win over West Suburban Gold foe Willowbrook on April 14. Saturday, Hinsdale South hosts the Hornet ABCD Invite at 8 a.m. and will also host the WSG meet May 1. Hinsdale South tied for second last year at state.

Olivia Niemann went 2-2 at state with now-graduated doubles partner Michelle Abbate. She and Abbate defeated Janice Yoshimura and Kalina Kassadjikova of Glenbard South (21-12, 21-9), then Maddie Hindsley and Lauren Stephenson of New Trier in the second (21-17, 24-22). The duo went to lose to Heather Nisbet and Ashton Nisbet of Buffalo Grove in the third round (21-19, 9-21, 21-16) as well as Rose Binder and Shannon LaVallie of Downers Grove North in the fourth round of consolation bracket (15-21, 21-10, 21-18).

“We’re building up towards the sectional meet to get down state,” Charters said. “These next two weeks should prepare us well.”