Johnson advances to Semis

#1 posting 5.16.2006

JOHNSON ADVANCES TO SEMIS
St. Paul Johnson swept Henry, and then took out Burnsville 6-1 to advance to the MN State Semifinals at Burnsville tomorrow. Burnsville reached what would be considered the quarterfinals with a 7-0 sweep of Minneapolis Southwest.

Both Minneapolis champions, Singles champ Mai Ku Moua of Henry and Abby Bell and Lydia Kelly of Southwest lost their games. MKM's game went to three games.
It was Henry's first time all year that they were swept. Three games went the distance with Johnson at 1st and 3rd singles, and 1st doubles. Houa Pha of Henry was skunked twice at 2nd singles.

FIRST ROUND
St. Paul Johnson 7, Minneapolis Henry 0
SINGLES
1. Yer Vue (J) def Mai Ku Moua 11-6, 8-11, 11-4
2. Cydney Vang (J) def Houa Pha 11-0, 11-0
3. Linda Xiong (J) def Mai Vang Vang 6-11, 11-4, 11-8
4. Pa Kou Vang (J) def Lisa Thao 11-0, 11-4
DOUBLES
1. Karen Kolb/Pang Thao (J) def Mai Chia Yang/Yer Yang 15-5, 6-15, 15-12
2. Pania Moua/Kao Lee Xiong (J) def Nong Vue/Mee Vang 15-4, 15-5
3. Belik Pha/Kia Thao (J) def PaKou Yang/Lee Moua 15-6, 15-8

Burnsville 7, Minneapolis Southwest 0
SINGLES
1. Abby Alvarez (B) def Matha Streng 11-0, 11-2
2. Jaimie Fredrickson (B) def Astia Roper 11-2, 11-2
3. Katie Johnson (B) def Anna Yarborough 11-3, 11-3
4. Megan Olinger (B) def Lee Xiong 11-3, 11-0
DOUBLES
1. Katie Burgh/Brianna Lutz (B) def Abby Bell/Lydia Kelly 15-4, 15-7
2. Michelle Mortinson/Lyndsay Teigland (B) def Rachel Lowe/Mellisa Lehn 15-0, 15-2
3. Rachael Gilliland/Kelly Pramann (B) def Rachel Neverman/Rose Kantor 15-0, 15-3

QUARTERFINALS
St. Paul Johnson 6, Burnsville 1
SINGLES
1. Yer Vue (J) def Abby Alvarez 4-11, 15-6, 13-10
2. Cydney Vang (J) def Jaimie Fredrickson 11-4, 11-8
3. Linda Xiong (J) def Katie Johnson 6-11, 11-9, 11-8
4. Pa Kou Vang (J) def Megan Olinger 11-5, 7-11, 11-10?
DOUBLES
1. Katie Burgh/Brianna Lutz (B) def Karen Kolb/Pang Thao 15-3, 15-5
2. Pania Moua/Kao Lee Xiong (J) def Michelle Mortinson/Lyndsay Teigland 15-12, 15-4
3. Belik Pha/Kia Thao (J) def Rachael Gilliland/Kelly Pramann 10-15, 15-2, 15-9

GAMES I WATCHED
All of these games were at 1st singles

Yer Vue, Johnson vs Mai Ku Moua, Henry
Vue won game one 11-6 on the strength of four points on hitting errors and four points on drop shots. MKM led 4-1 with three straight points on her fourth serve. Vue took the lead with four points on her fifth serve 5-4. Vue added three more points at serve #7, the last two drop shots. Vue added two points on Moua hitting errors on serve 8. MKM sided out three straight times before Vue connected on a drop on serve 11.
MKM again led early, and this time kept that lead. She led 3-1 after the 6th serve. She increased the lead to 6-2 on the 8th serve. MKM had four of the points on Vue's hitting errors. Vue did take the lead at 7-6 on serve #13. Again the drop shots worked for Vue with two points. One good turn deserves another and Moua put together a four point run on her 14th serve to regain the lead 10-7 with the last two drops. Vue cut the lead to 10-8 on a drive, but Moua sided out with a clear. On serve #15 Moua produced an ace serve to close out game two.
In game three Moua took a 2-0 lead after two serves with a point a serve, both drops. Vue tied it on her third serve. Moua gained the lead back on serve #4 with two more points 4-2. The game broke open on Vue's 6th serve with four points 8-4. Vue finished with three points on serve 9, the last being a fan on a clear shot.

Abby Alvarez vs Matha Streng
This was over very fast as Burnsville's Alvarez thoroughly dominated Streng. Alvarez had nine points in game one on either aces, smashes, drives, or drops, only two came from hitting errors. the second game was more of the same although Streng managed to get two straight points after trailing 8-0 on her fourth serve, and both of those points were off hitting errors. Alvarez ended the contest on her 5th serve with two drops. The total contest when on the court lasted under 9 minutes.

Yer Vue vs Abby Alvarez
Johnson Vue's came back after losing the first game for a 4-11, 11-6, 13-10.
Abby Alvarez took the early game, but trailed 3-1 after Vue's second serve. Alvarez tied it up on her third serve. On serve #5 she added three more points. Six of Alvarez's points were due to hitting errors by Vue.
Alvarez continued her hot play with a 5-0 lead after her 3rd serve including three in a row on that serve. The game turned on Vue's 7th serve when she scored five straight points to take a 8-5 lead. Vue was taking advantage of points off of Alvarez's back hand hitting errors. On Vue's 10th serve she closed out the game with three points. Vue took advantage of 7 hitting errors in this win.
Vue led early at 2-0. Alvarez tied it on her second serve. Vue pushed it back up to 4-2 after fourth serve. Alvarez took the lead at 5-4 after her 4th serve helped by two hitting errors. Vue see sawed back in front on her 5th serve 6-5, while Alvarez led 7-6 after her 6th serve. The game was tied aat 8, 9, and 10. Vue broke the tie on her 10th serve with an ace, and a hitting error for a 12-10 lead. Alvarez sided out on a drop, but Vue sided out with a hitting error by Alvarez. Vue's 11th serve ended the contest with another hitting error. Seven of Vue's points were throurgh hitting errors.

Whispers and Rumoramas
Humboldt's #1 and #2 singles may pair up for the doubles portion of the state tournament on Thursday and Friday. Indications are they would be the team to beat. They were partners last year.

Next up: The MN state tournament team semis and finals from Burnsville. games start at 4 pm