Lady Colts Badminton Continues to Roll Through Perfect Season With Win Over Farmingdale

Of all the high school athletic programs in Bellmore-Merrick, none may be more successful than Calhoun badminton.

With a perfect record so far this season, the Lady Colts have had five undefeated county championship seasons in the last eight years, and are hoping to make it six this year.

The Colts continued their success yesterday, as they traveled to Farmingdale to take on the Lady Dalers, and proceeded to win six of seven matches to move to 9-0 on the season.

"We are something like 124-5 over the past eight seasons," coach Greg Muscarella said.  "So Calhoun badminton has taken a very serious approach to being a championship program and has put in the time and the dedication that it takes to be number one. That's probably what makes me the proudest of the girls that we have in our program."

Muscarella also gushed about the leadership abilities of his three team captains: Christina Strezenec, Alyssa Demonte and Kaitlin Gallo, who were all in action today.

"I could not be prouder of the three captains that represent Calhoun High School this year," he said.

In a badminton contest, the top three singles players face off against each other, while the top four doubles teams also compete. The girls play best two out of three games, and whichever school wins the most matches claims the victory.

Strezenec, a four-year starter and three-time county champion, defeated her first-singles opponent Caitlin Milona in two sets, 21-10 and 21-9 to snag Calhoun's first victory of the day.

"Participating on the Calhoun badminton team has definitely been an experience," Strezenec said.  "I've seen a lot of girls come through the program that have blossomed. We've won multiple county titles and it's only because of the girls who have come before us.  Most importantly we work hard every season, we set many goals for ourselves and we always put our best foot forward."

In second singles, Elisa Meade defeated Deveka Gupta in three sets, 21-10, 9-21, and 21-10. Cindy Lee won her third singles match against Angie Gonzales, 21-13 and 21-9 to make Calhoun perfect in singles play on the day.

In doubles action, Calhoun would win three out of four. The top singles pair, Demonte and Gallo, were defeated in a hard-fought three set battle against Preeti Misya and Jen Samson; 21-18, 18-21, and 21-17. It was a rare loss for the pair, who were county doubles champions a year ago.

"I think what makes the badminton team most unique is that we're more of a family than we are a team," Demonte said. "That's what makes it so great. Everyone shows up to the games and we're always supportive and there for each other and whether we win or lose, we're together."

Calhoun would be perfect in the rest of the doubles matches, as Fariha Choudhury and Danielle Augugliara defeated Becky Reinold and Taylor Soete, 21-18 and 21-10 in second doubles.

Jenna Delhove and Marissa Levy downed Farmingdale's Liz Shields and Gabbie Garcia 21-9 and 21-19 in third-doubles.

In fourth doubles, Tiffany Minors and Tessa Patti dropped the first game, but came back to win the next two against Ashley Pure and Shirley Venegas, 9-21, 21-16 and 21-16.

Calhoun showed their usual amount of dedication and persistence yesterday that has made them a dominant program over the past eight seasons.

"From day one until now, our team has always tried to do the best that we can," Gallo said.  "We always push ourselves to succeed, and we can't wait until the championships."

The Colts will look to keep their perfect season intact on Monday when they host Great Neck South at 4:30 pm.

Download the movie