After securing the doubles title last year with Erica Garcia Badaracco, Megan Nguyen has again emerged as the state doubles champion, partnering with freshman sensation Mylene Keophaseut. 

Nguyen’s victory is San Diego Mesa College's first two-time individual badminton title.

In badminton doubles play, finding a partner who complements one’s playing style and with whom one can communicate with is important. Megan's ability to consistently do both makes her special, particularly while partnering with someone as young and talented as Mylene. Head coach June Andrews says Megan's experience and ability to set the emotional tone for both players as pivotal elements contributing to their success. "Both players were composed and relied on each other to deliver the win, even in high-pressure situations," Andrews adds.

Following their 21-18, 21-13 quarterfinal victory over J. Thai and K. Tran of DeAnza, Nguyen and Keophaseut was set to face the undefeated duo of Kelly Yao and Jacqueline Leong of City College of San Francisco in the semifinals. Despite being down and erasing three set point opportunities, the duo from Mesa clinched the first set 25-23 and followed that up with a 21-12 second set win, propelling them into the finals. 

Coach Andrews characterizes the semifinal match as an emotional roller coaster, highlighting the players' ability to stay calm, despite facing a couple of set points against. “I couldn’t be any more proud of how they faced adversity and played the way they have been playing all season,’ she adds. 

In the championship match, Nguyen and Keophaseut faced Rhea Zou and Anh Vu Nguyen Tran from Pasadena City College, who had previously defeated them in the conference finals. After an intense first set that went back and forth, with numerous momentum shifts,  Mesa College secured the first set 22-20. Similar to their early matches, the tandem's composure and sticking with their strategy paid off, and they eventually triumphed 21-19, claiming the state doubles title for San Diego Mesa College.  

 Mylene Keophaseut also secured the consolation singles title, while the number two doubles pairing of Kathy Lee and Millie Tough narrowly lost to DeAnza in the semifinals. Coach Andrews couldn’t be more proud of her team this year. “We are going to continue to raise the bar and we will continue to take this program to another level,’ adds Andrews.