The San Diego Mesa College women's badminton team got their 2023 campaign underway on Friday at home with a convincing 20-1 win over East Los Angeles College. 

The Olympians swept the singles having dropped only two sets. Erica Garcia Badaracco led the way with a 21-5, 21-4 and 21-4, 21-8 at number 1. Also winning were Megan Nguyen 21-0, 21-0 and 21-1, 21-3 at number 2. Ariana Huerta 21-5, 21-7 and 21-4, 21-3 at number 3. Becky Lester 21-11, 21-6 and 21-5, 21-2 at number 4. Kathy Rodriguez 17-21, 21-14, 23-21 and 23-21, 18-21, 22-20 at number 5. Evelyn Dominguez 21-19, 21-13 and 21-12, 21-18 at number 6. 

"Kathy Rodriguez was great for us today," states head coach June Andrews. "She definitely showed a lot of grit by winning both her singles matches." 

Evelyn Dominguez played her first career match and was victorious at the number 6 slot. The coaching staff stressed before the start of the season that winning in the lower part of the singles line up will be crucial to the success of the team in 2023. 

In doubles play, the tandem of Garcia-Badaracco and Nguyen won 21-2, 21-5 and 21-3, 21-3 at the number 1 slot. Huerta and Lester also swept, scoring 21-5, 21-9 and 21-7, 21-8. The team of Dominguez and Martinez fell in a close and tough battle against Xiu Lin Chan and Stephanie Fuenzas 21-19, 16-21, and 19-21. 

The team will host a strong Pasadena Community College team on Friday, February 24th. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.