Mills High badminton coach Caroline Tiziani wanted to see more out of her star player, Jessica Wong.
It might have been an odd thing to say considering Wong — the Daily Journal Girls’ Badminton Player of the Year — went a perfect 14-0 in Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division play and 6-0 in the league playoffs, never as much dropping a set in the process.
But league play was too easy, Tiziani said, and now that Wong was in the Central Coast Section tournament, she would be taking a huge step up in competition. Despite going 2-2 in CCS, Tiziani was satisfied with Wong’s performance.
“It wasn’t until CCS that she actually got tested, and you saw it (a killer instinct) come out,” Tiziani said. “It was exciting to see her excel when she was put in a situation where the opponents were her equal or better. I wanted to see how she would react being in tough matches for the first time and she responded well.”
Wong, who recently completed her junior year, entered this season with plenty of motivation. Last year she lost in the semifinals of the second stage of the league playoffs, denying her a spot in CCS. So she went into the offseason carrying that disappointment in her head.
“Last year (in the second stage of the league playoffs) I lost to someone who I beat before, so it was pretty sad to lose,” Wong said. “I’m glad I was able to come back and make it to CCS this year, but I was a little disappointed because I felt I could’ve done more. But (after I got eliminated) I had more drive to win. I know I need to improve a lot, get more consistent, stronger, faster and play smarter.”
It won’t be hard to find Wong this summer. She’ll be working on her game virtually everyday at Bay Badminton Center in Burlingame, going up against more experienced, older male players. Wong, who started training at the BBC two years ago, credits her rapid ascent to the top to playing against tough competition at the BBC.
“I’m one of the few girls there, but the guys don’t take it easy on me,” she said. “I’ve gotten more exposure in how to hit the bird (more effectively) as well as developing good footwork.”
Wong played mixed doubles as a freshman, winning only two of 14 matches. It was a humbling experience, one that served as a springboard to future success. Now that Wong has developed into a bona-fide, top-notch player, she’s her own worst critic.
“Everytime I step on the court, I want be the best,” she said. “I just love the sport, so I want to be good at it.”
The only question now is how high is Wong’s ceiling? Armed with an extra dose of confidence after a solid showing at CCS, Wong feels she hasn’t realized her potential. It’s one thing to pound PAL competition — Wong won a number of sets 15-0 and 15-1, an impressive accomplishment nonetheless — but it’s another thing to take on the best CCS has to offer. Next year Wong hopes to win it all. Tiziani won’t be surprised to see Wong do just that next season.
“Early on you knew she was a serious and driven player,” Tiziani said. “She listens well to any type of coaching and is a quick learner. She’s very smart on the court, plays a simple game and gets the job done. That’s why she was able to be so dominant in PALs and won a couple of matches at CCS.”
Wong actually entered the season with goals of going undefeated in league action. Her mission accomplished, what can Wong possibly do for an encore in league next year?
“Do it again,” she said. “I want to go undefeated again.”
That, more than anything, tells you everything you need to know about the evolution of Jessica Wong.
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