On Thursday, April 16, 2026, the Libertyville girl’s badminton team faced off against Waukegan High School. Through hard work, perseverance and team work, the Varsity team ended up securing the win, beating Waukegan 14-4 in total matches. This game also happened to take place on senior night making their wins all the more special.
“I got to give a special shout out to Roohee Patil, who’s a two time two year captain. She’s graduating this year, going to Indiana, and she was on my first team here when I was the JV coach, and she’s been with me all four years… I’m going to miss all of them, but Roohee is always going to have a special place… I’m really excited to see what her life journey is going to take.” says Coach Daniel Schaechter.
Rohee Patil has been playing Badminton her entire high school career.
“I’m really grateful to have spent my high school years being a part of this program,” says senior Roohee Patil. “I have really good memories, like at pasta parties and on bus rides to and from [games].”
Before the game, the girls started off by warming up and rallying with each other. Once Waukegan’s players arrived, the seniors from both schools were celebrated by their coaches, teammates and underclassmen. And after, the games began. Badminton is set up so that the gym is sectioned off into multiple courts so that all levels – Varsity, Junior Varsity One and Junior Varsity Two – can play simultaneously. Some games are played as doubles, which is where a partnership plays another partnership, and other games are individual, meaning it is one-on-one.
“I think this is gonna be a really good year for us. I’m looking forward to sectionals, [and] possibly state,” says senior Sri Mukhopadhyay.
For the Varsity Badminton team, working towards improving before state is an important team goal.
“We have a few [girls who] really have drive, aspiration and the ability to make the state tournament. So that’s what we’re trying to prepare for.” says Coach Schaechter.
