The Skyline badminton team has done quite well this year, and Rachell Berania has stood out among those on the team, qualifying for the state finals and finishing in the top eight with her partner, Nour Abudamous, in doubles.

“I think you play better when you are just trying your hardest, coming in with no expectations,” Berania said, referring to the state finals that passed this weekend. “I had a lot of fun,” Berania continued. “One thing I will take away from state is that playing anyone who is better than you makes you want to be better; be an ounce better.”

According to Coach Jan Fosberg, Berania has a great work ethic and is very supportive of her teammates.

“Rachell never has anything bad to say,” Fosberg said. “She is very positive.”

So we know that Berania is very talented at badminton, but how did she get to where she is now?

Berania was first introduced to badminton in high school during a P.E. class. It was one of those classes where you play a sport for a couple of weeks, and then you move on to another sport.

“What fascinated me about badminton was a lot of the different shots and how the player can control the bird,” Berania said.

Before high school, Berania played tennis and basketball. Both her dad and her older brother played (and still do) basketball, and so she got into it. Throughout middle school she was on a basketball team. But that all changed once high school came along.

This is Berania’s first year at Skyline, so she is going to be on the badminton team again next year, along with all of her other team members. The badminton team was composed entirely of freshmen this year, and they only lost two of their games this season. This bunch of girls definitely has potential.

“I look forward to working with this group again,” Fosberg said. “Especially considering how much they improved and grew.”

Even though the badminton season doesn’t start up again until next spring, Berania is still going to find ways to play.

“I always go out in the summer and fall for tournaments,” Berania said.

While Berania is serious about badminton, she doesn’t foresee it as a possible career for her. After Skyline, she plans on transferring to a four-year university, where she will major in hospitality management. Berania hopes to one day be working in a hotel, preferably a five-star one, managing any kind of meetings and conventions.

Whenever opportunity arises, however, Berania will play badminton, no matter when or where she is.

“I couldn’t be happier with Rachell,” Fosberg said. “I wish I had six of her.”