On May 9, 10 and 11, senior badminton players Agnes Borczykowska and Ina Madhi, attended the IHSA Badminton State Meet at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois, competing against Homewood Flossmoor and New Trier High Schools. 

While finishing fourth overall in their sectional doubles bracket, Borczykowska and Madhi claimed their place in State. Only losing one match, the girls helped bring their team to a total of 6.5 points and earned Rolling Meadows a fourth place finish overall in their Sectional. 

In addition, seniors Karolina Ferens and Jenna Poduch contributed to the team’s points, both winning a game and earned a point, which contributed to Rolling Meadows’ fourth place finish.

Through practice leading up to State, the determination of the team was supported by the top players on the team, who were working to help everyone improve for the meet.

“During practice, we focused on our faults and tried out some new shots that we later used in the games,” Borczykowska said. 

But unfortunately for the girls, they lost in a double elimination to New Trier and Homewood Flossmoor. However, they did split with them, meaning each team won one game, resulting in a third game to be played. 

They lost their first game to Homewood Flossmoor 29-30, but came back to win the second one, 22-20; however, in the end, they lost their final game to them 16-21. Against New Trier, for their consolation match, they won their first game 21-15, but lost their last two games 6-21 and 14-21. 

Even though the girls practiced a lot of their fundamentals to prepare for the State meet, they both admitted that they could’ve prepared more mentally for their matches at State. 

“I don’t feel like we mentally prepared for state at all, and that’s why we didn’t play to our best abilities because it just didn’t click,” Madhi said. 

Although they lost to both schools, Borczykowska and Madhi both improved throughout the season with each other, which helped them earn their spot to compete at State. 

“[Borczykowska and Madhi] improved throughout the season by improving their communication, their rotation and their competitive drive,” Head Coach Ken Mills said. 

Above all, the girls had a great experience at the State meet, while meeting other players from other schools and getting to have the experience of playing at Eastern Illinois University. 

“[State] was a really fun experience to see all the other schools play and just having the chance to go,” Madhi said.