With the 2026 Badminton State Championships scheduled to get underway Oct. 23 for singles and doubles, and team state scheduled for Oct. 27, there are several teams and storylines to watch for at the Division I and II levels this fall.

DIVISION I

HAMILTON

The two-time defending state champion Hamilton Huskies recently won their 50th consecutive match with their 9-0 victory over Perry to end the regular season.

The last time Hamilton lost a match was Oct. 18, 2022, a 5-4 defeat against Perry in the regular season finale. The group responded with four straight wins and returned the favor against Perry in the title match, 5-4.

That 9-0 score is something the Huskies (14-0, 4-0 Premier) have gotten used to lately, as you’d have to go back to the beginning of last season to find the last time this group dropped a set, an 8-1 win over Sunnyslope on Sept. 2, 2025.

“It’s a milestone that leaves us feeling really grateful,” coach Lauren Rosales said via email to AzPreps365.com about the 50-match win streak. “A streak like that isn’t about any single year or one group of players – it’s the result of the last few years of athletes that have paved the way for our current team. Every year we have girls graduate who are integral pieces of our program, and it’s been a wonderful thing to see who steps up to fill their shoes the next year.”

One of those athletes is Hayley Koh, who is 14-0 in singles play this season, dropping only one set to defending singles state champ Janet Kaur of Boulder Creek on Sept. 10.

“Hayley has worked exceptionally hard, and her growth over the last four years has been wonderful to watch,” Rosales said, adding that the Division I field is filled with talented players and state play is always unpredictable.

“Hayley knows how tough the field is, so she’s not taking anything for granted. She just wants to step on the court, play her best game, and take it one opponent at a time,” Rosales said.

Koh earned the No. 1 overall seed in singles play, which begins Oct. 23 at Independence High School and wraps up Oct. 24.

As for team play, Hamilton earned the No. 1 overall seed in Division I and will face No. 16 Basha on Oct. 27 at home, 3:30 p.m.

RED MOUNTAIN

Two years ago, when this club finished just 8-6, coach Jake Kober felt his group was young but had a lot of potential.

That potential started show last season with an 11-3 overall record, earning the Lions a No. 4 overall seed in the team state playoffs before losing a 5-3 nail biter to No. 5-seeded Basha.

Now, at 14-0, Red Mountain has earned a No. 2 seed, pairing with Hamilton as the only two clubs in Division I competition with undefeated 14-0 records.

It is their first undefeated season in over a decade.

“I thought we’d have a good year, but I didn’t see 14-0 happening,” Kober said.

Top singles player Amelia Garner followed by Sakura Ito and Gabi Moya have made the difference this year for the Lions, which have appeared in only one state title match back in 2015, the last time this club was this good.

“Hamilton is the favorite, and for good reason. They are the gold standard as well as Sunnyslope. Our goal is to be mentioned in the same breath as those program,” Kober said. “We have an amazing bunch of kids who come in every day with a great attitude and work ethic. My coaching staff and I are extremely lucky to be able to lead them.”

SUNNYSLOPE

In the past 10 years, the Vikings and Sarah Schlesinger’s group have been in the state title match seven times, winning four, including three straight between 2016-2019.

This year, Sunnyslope (11-2, 5-0 Central) has lost only to Hamilton (Sept. 2, 9-0), and to Red Mountain on Sept. 9 in a thriller, 6-3. Since those two losses, the group has won nine straight.

The Vikings will open the team state tournament on Oct. 27 as a No. 3 seed facing No. 14-seeded Chandler at 4 p.m.

In singles play, Kaitlin Windtberg and Lelia Cody will represent the Vikings, while Clare Moore and Molly Nordstrom will pair in doubles competition beginning Oct. 23.

DIVISION II

IRONWOOD

The Eagles (14-0, 6-0 Northwest Valley) didn’t lose a set this season and have secured the No. 1 seed heading into the state playoffs.

Winners of four of the last six state team championships, Ironwood opens with No. 1 Centennial on Oct. 27.

As for singles play, senior Sophia Tijore is the No. 1 overall seed, while Madison Hutter and Bryanna Moser, the only junior on a team of seniors, also earned the No. 1 overall seed in doubles play, which begins Oct. 23.

PRESCOTT

The Badgers (14-0, 6-0 Skyline) were one of two clubs to go undefeated during the 2026 season in Division II play, with the other being Ironwood, which was also 14-0.

Prescott lost only five sets all season and wrapped up regular season play with wins over three Top 10 teams in No. 5 Thunderbird (Oct. 1, 9-0), No. 7 Washington (Oct. 6, 8-1), and No. 9 Deer Valley (Oct. 8, 9-0).

The group in northern Arizona last made the Division II state title in 2023, losing to Ironwood 5-0. Ironwood has been dominant in Division II, winning four of the last six state titles.

In the team bracket, No. 2-seeded Prescott will face No. 15 Greenway on Oct. 27.

In singles play, Olivia Major and Noe Baird will compete, while Allison Block and Annabelle Courtney will play doubles.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on X and Instagram at @AzPreps365Brian or on Facebook at @Five2MediaWorks. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.