Philo Deeja’s trip to the state badminton tournament was a long time coming.
Despite falling 21-7, 21-3 in the first round to fourth-place finisher Lauren Ho of Neuqua Valley and then dropping her consolation match, Deeja made history as the first Maine East badminton player to qualify for state since Iliana Nikova in 2005.
Nikova won that year’s Hinsdale Central sectional and placed fifth in the state.
“I was really proud of myself,” Deeja said. “I honestly didn’t think I would get that far.”
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For Deeja and warmup partner Gloria Majka, it was a remarkable experience. Used to competing against the same set of schools, Deeja shared a court with the top players in the state.
“I was just in awe,” Deeja said. “They’re getting shots that are crazy. They’re fighting for every point and they’re doing great.”
It was a trip that nearly didn’t happen.
After winning her first two matches in the New Trier Sectional, Deeja fell in straight sets to New Trier’s Julia Siebert, dropping her into the consolation bracket. Against Maine West’s Anne Jelica Panganiban with a trip to state on the line, Deeja dropped the first set, 21-13, and fell behind in the third, 11-6, according to Blue Demons coach David Howley.
“I really didn’t think I would make it,” Deeja said. “I was like, ‘If it’s my last game, I’ll just go down fighting.’ “
Deeja won 13-21, 21-16, 21-17 to clinch the state berth.
Digging deep is something Deeja did after picking up badminton, along with tennis, as a freshman.
“I could barely hold the racket without dropping it,” Deeja said. “I am extremely glad that I went for it and that I didn’t stop halfway through.”
This year, Deeja’s mobility and shot selection turned her into a threat. An elite badminton player mixes mashes with drop shots, and shots to the corners with gentle lobs to the back line. Deeja mastered that ability, Howley said, leading one opposing coach to say, “I’m scared of this one.” That’s when Howley said he started to realize the Blue Demons might be on the verge of something special.
Beyond making history, Deeja’s run to state also made an impression on Majka, who very well could repeat the feat next season. Though their matches were close, Majka held Deeja off for the team’s top singles spot all season.
“Nine times out of 10 actually, Gloria is going to be beat Philo,” Howley said.
Majka, a junior, fell five points short of earning a trip to state in the sectional consolation semifinal. She said she is extra motivated for 2016. Beyond that, she now brings unique experience, having stood right behind Deeja in the state tournament.
“Every shot she was taking, I would see,” Majka said. “When she missed something, I kind of felt like I missed it too. I kind of felt like I was in the game, and I was just seeing what you actually have to do and how much effort you have to put in order to get where you want to be.”
By snapping Maine East’s decade-long streak of not having a state qualifier, perhaps Deeja has started a new streak.
Rosenblum is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.