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Badminton POY: DeKalb's Collin, Liou place fifth at state; develop friendship

En-Tso Liou: 'I’ve played badminton for six years and I can definitely say this has been the best year. It’s been the best experience.'

“I’ve played badminton for six years, and I can definitely say this has been the best year,” Liou said. “It’s been the best experience.” Both players spent most of the season competing individually. Liou, a sophomore, went undefeated (31-0) in singles play, while Collin (29-1), a senior, dropped only one match. The intention, however, always was for them to play as a doubles pair at the state finals, DeKalb coach Zak Effler said. “Their record speaks for itself as far as what they bring to us to make us competitive,” Effler said. “What is less obvious is what they contribute away from the winning record. They’ve brought up and helped younger players who will replace them when they leave.” (Photos by)

By JOSH TOLENTINO

“I’ve played badminton for six years, and I can definitely say this has been the best year,” Liou said. “It’s been the best experience.” Both players spent most of the season competing individually. Liou, a sophomore, went undefeated (31-0) in singles play, while Collin (29-1), a senior, dropped only one match. The intention, however, always was for them to play as a doubles pair at the state finals, DeKalb coach Zak Effler said. “Their record speaks for itself as far as what they bring to us to make us competitive,” Effler said. “What is less obvious is what they contribute away from the winning record. They’ve brought up and helped younger players who will replace them when they leave.” (Photos by)

They beat teammates Holly Trapp and Hui Zhu in the sectional final, securing the No. 15 seed at state. Collin and Liou’s wins at the state tournament included upset victories over the 12th, 11th, eighth, and fifth-seeded teams, while their only loss of the season was against No. 2 Stevenson. Trapp and Zhu also competed at state, tying for ninth place. They were the only unseeded team to qualify for the Sweet 16 and concluded the season with a 43-4 record in doubles play.

Collin said the Barbs exceeded their expectations this season. “Originally we said we wanted to make it to just the top 16 and make it to Day 2 [of the state finals],” she said. “That was the only goal we had. But once we got to the second day, it was like, ‘We’re going to win this.’ “The expectations I had for this year going into it was kind of to just mess around and have fun with my close friends. It ended up being so much more than that. I’m so grateful for it.”

Liou had a similar experience. “I just hoped I could bring something different and everybody could have fun,” she said. “I didn’t even know we had such things as state or conference or sectionals. “It’s amazing what we were able to do. I just wanted to have fun playing badminton.” Off the court, Collin developed a lifelong relationship with Liou. The pair often helped each other with chemistry homework and Collin provided transportation whenever needed. “En-Tso and I text each other, snapchat everyday,” Collin said. “I’m sure that’s going to continue. … Even though she’s a lot younger than me, we rely on each other a lot. We have a lot of inside jokes. Our connection isn’t only through badminton.”

Liou will return to Taiwan next month, but she promised to maintain her bond with Collin and the rest of her DeKalb teammates. She plans on continuing her foreign exchange program in Guam for her final two years of high school and hopes to come back to DeKalb for college. Liou plans on being a volunteer coach for the Barbs when she returns. “I’m so excited to come back here and play badminton again,” she said. “The practices here are really fun. It’s different from my home country – it’s very serious there. I really enjoyed and loved it here. Hopefully, I can come back and bring more people with me.”