ELGIN – The first thing one notices when looking at the St. Charles North badminton roster is that all the girls are seniors.

In addition, they are all veteran players, having competed at the varsity level last year.

The North Stars showed their experience Tuesday afternoon when they beat Larkin, 13-2, in both teams’ season openers. North swept the five doubles matches and won eight of the 10 singles matches in the Upstate Eight Conference contest.

Larkin won the Nos. 9 and 10 singles matches.

“Coming into it, we knew we had 10 returning seniors to their not so many returning seniors. I thought we might take it, but I didn’t think it would be as lopsided as it is it was,” North coach Michael Smith said.

“For our first meet, I thought it went pretty well,” said Kaitlin Hartig, who won the No. 1 singles match over Diane Jimenez in two games, 22-20, 21-16. “I was excited about that.”

Hartig and Jessica Foor won the first doubles match. The pair beat Jimenez and Morelia Bribiescas, 21-18, 21-11.

Foor also won the third singles match, 21-13, 21-8, over Niha Ahmad.

“The singles was tougher to win because for doubles I have my partner, Jessica,” Hartig said “She’s always there to back me up and get the drops, but for singles you’re running all over (the) court, and it is very tiring.”

Smith hopes his team’s experience will translate into a strong showing in the conference.

“With 10 returning seniors and a lot of leadership, I expect do pretty well in the conference,” Smith said. “I can’t say where we will finish, but I think we would have strong showing in each meet. Geneva is always tough, East Aurora is always tough and Glenbard East is going to be good. There is not a weak school in the conference.”

Hartig agreed that North will do well in the UEC due to the team’s veteran presence.

“I think the season is going to be really good. A lot of girls have been playing varsity since their sophomore year,” Hartig said. “This can be a really strong year for our team.”

Smith did give two underclassmen their first taste of varsity action. He brought up freshmen Jordan Walters and Lauren Maisto for the meet, playing them at Nos. 9 and 10 singles.

“The nine (Walters) went to a third (game),” Smith said, “and the 10 almost won.”

“I’m really proud of our girls. I know we didn’t win, but they did well,” said Sara Lang, who made her debut as Larkin’s coach. “They improved with each match, and that’s all we really ask right now.”

ELGIN – The first thing one notices when looking at the St. Charles North badminton roster is that all the girls are seniors.

In addition, they are all veteran players, having competed at the varsity level last year.

The North Stars showed their experience Tuesday afternoon when they beat Larkin, 13-2, in both teams’ season openers. North swept the five doubles matches and won eight of the 10 singles matches in the Upstate Eight Conference contest.

Larkin won the Nos. 9 and 10 singles matches.

“Coming into it, we knew we had 10 returning seniors to their not so many returning seniors. I thought we might take it, but I didn’t think it would be as lopsided as it is it was,” North coach Michael Smith said.

“For our first meet, I thought it went pretty well,” said Kaitlin Hartig, who won the No. 1 singles match over Diane Jimenez in two games, 22-20, 21-16. “I was excited about that.”

Hartig and Jessica Foor won the first doubles match. The pair beat Jimenez and Morelia Bribiescas, 21-18, 21-11.

Foor also won the third singles match, 21-13, 21-8, over Niha Ahmad.

“The singles was tougher to win because for doubles I have my partner, Jessica,” Hartig said “She’s always there to back me up and get the drops, but for singles you’re running all over (the) court, and it is very tiring.”

Smith hopes his team’s experience will translate into a strong showing in the conference.

“With 10 returning seniors and a lot of leadership, I expect do pretty well in the conference,” Smith said. “I can’t say where we will finish, but I think we would have strong showing in each meet. Geneva is always tough, East Aurora is always tough and Glenbard East is going to be good. There is not a weak school in the conference.”

Hartig agreed that North will do well in the UEC due to the team’s veteran presence.

“I think the season is going to be really good. A lot of girls have been playing varsity since their sophomore year,” Hartig said. “This can be a really strong year for our team.”

Smith did give two underclassmen their first taste of varsity action. He brought up freshmen Jordan Walters and Lauren Maisto for the meet, playing them at Nos. 9 and 10 singles.

“The nine (Walters) went to a third (game),” Smith said, “and the 10 almost won.”

“I’m really proud of our girls. I know we didn’t win, but they did well,” said Sara Lang, who made her debut as Larkin’s coach. “They improved with each match, and that’s all we really ask right now.”