Women’s Badminton Preview: Out to make a racquet

Steve Virgen

Though in its inaugural season, the Orange Coast College women’s

badminton team will not focus on taking baby steps.

This kid is ready to walk.

Witness OCC’s first opponent, defending state champion San Diego Mesa.

Coach Barbara Bond is pleased that there is another opportunity for

women at Coast, but she’s not totally satisfied.

“It’s all nice to say that you’re just going to play,” Bond said.

“But, when it comes down to getting out on the court, I really don’t like

to lose. And, I expect that we’ll win some matches.”

Four players will carry over the drive to win from the other sports

they play at Coast. Sophomore Becky Lake and freshman Kristen Hamman will

spend the soccer offseason by taking to the birdie and racquet. Lake

played as a midfielder last season on the soccer team and Hamman was a

defender.

Sophomores Tina Nguyen and Rana Duszynski, of OCC volleyball, will

also serve as pioneers. Nguyen was a setter who finished with 730 assists

and Duszynski was a hard working role player.

OCC’s new team also has an international student, Ane Nielsen, from

Denmark. Bond said, Nielsen is excited to learn the sport and become

competitive as is Emily Malek from University High.

Freshman Alyssa Huynh supplies the Pirates with experience. She played

while in high school at Westminster.

Bond will also have some experienced help as Todd Aubin, who went

through Coast’s athletic training program and is finishing his education

at Cal State Fullerton, will serve as the Pirates’ assistant. Aubin is an

avid badminton player who is ranked 12th in the nation in men’s doubles

(ranking according to USA Badminton). Aubin is teamed with Justin Egerer.

Bond, who has coached field hockey, softball, basketball and started

women’s soccer at OCC, said she is faced with three challenges to start

badminton.

First, respect. Bond said she wants her players to be proud they are

on the team and she wants others to respect the sport and the squad.

Then, advertising. Bond tries to spread the word in her classes by

challenging her students to play. Other than that, she said, it’s

difficult to get the word out.

Third is recruiting. The coach is looking for “special” athletes

because badminton requires finesse.

“There’s so much skill required in the sport,” Bond said. “It’s fun to

watch a skilled person play the sport because they’re like dancers.”

Aside from the challenges, Bond is hoping the players learn quickly

and the team can compete at a respectable level.

She hopes she can bring about the same success she had for women’s

soccer.

In 1981, she guided the women’s soccer in its inaugural season. Three

years later, she led the Pirates to a 10-0-0 finish in South Coast

Conference play and in 1989, Bond coached the squad to a state title.

ORANGE COAST COLLEGE 2001 WOMEN’S BADMINTON

INAUGURAL SEASON

Rana Duszynski So.

Kristen Hamman Fr.

Alyssa Huynh Fr.

Becky Lake So.

Emily Malek Fr.

Tina Nguyen So.

Ane Nielsen Fr.

Coach: Barbara Bond