Athlete of the week

Liz Hudson: The Scottsdale Chaparral senior won the singles championship at Saturday’s Chaparral Invitational, outlasting spirited teammate Katie Conti, 11-8, 10-11, 11-4.

Week in review

While most of the badminton teams in the East Valley compete in Class 5A, those that are in 4A will meet a deep and talented field in this year’s playoffs. Chaparral is likely still the team to beat in 4A. With three titles in four years and three returning players — Hudson, Conti and junior Joelle Fang — Chaparral sits atop the AIA power rankings.

Tempe McClintock, with one loss, was ranked second prior to Wednesday’s match against Phoenix Sunnyslope, but coach Jen Bielack isn’t counting on anything just yet. While the Chargers reached the quarterfinals last year, there are several strong teams in 4A this season that would love to take McClintock’s place.

“It looks like there’s going to be a lot of good teams this year,” Bielack said. “Chaparral and Sunnyslope are always good, but (Phoenix) Greenway is coming back and don’t count (Goodyear) Millennium out. All Millennium has seen is tough competition.”

Chaparral coach Carrie Davis knows that firsthand. The Firebirds are the defending 4A champions, but their season-opening match against Millennium was a narrow, 5-4 victory. That early test has not fazed Chaparral in the least. “The general outlook is good,” Davis said. “We’re really trying to focus on getting these girls to work as a team.”

Gilbert Perry could also be a factor, as the Pumas won five of their first six games, which was good for third in the power rankings before Thursday’s match against Chaparral. Perry’s strong start is all the more impressive since the Pumas lost their top player from a year ago.

Aztec power: Tempe Corona del Sol demonstrated its depth in a 7-2 win over Scottsdale Desert Mountain Wednesday, winning Nos. 2-5 singles and Nos. 2-3 doubles. Before the match, both teams were undefeated, with Desert Mountain sitting atop the 5A power ranking and Corona del Sol sitting third, behind Scottsdale Horizon.

Defending 5A champion Phoenix Mountain Pointe, sitting a deceptive ninth in the rankings, swept Phoenix Desert Vista Wednesday, 9-0, to remain undefeated. That’s not to say Desert Vista didn’t fight hard, though. Two doubles matches and one singles tilt went to three games.

Gators going strong: Xavier lost 2007 5A singles champion Vianett Mena to graduation, but the Gators showed they still have plenty of depth at the Chaparral Invitational. Amelia Tsui finished third in singles, while Lex Salerno beat Lizzy McGroder in an all-Xavier consolation singles final. Additionally, Danielle Dozer and Anna Marie Mulhern won the consolation doubles final. Chandler’s Olivia Li and Kristen Morrissey won the doubles title over Horizon’s Keli Bridinger and Jenny Tighe, 15-12, 15-3.

Looking ahead

The Dobson Invitational this weekend, at which players from 16 schools will test themselves against other East Valley standouts. The competing schools are: Phoenix Central, Corona, Desert Mountain, Mesa Desert Ridge, Desert Vista, Mesa Dobson, Horizon, Mesa, Gilbert Mesquite, Mountain Pointe, Mesa Mountain View, Phoenix North Canyon, Perry, Mesa Red Mountain, Mesa Skyline and Mesa Westwood.