#1 posting 3.25.2008
Minnesota badminton news & information
ST. PAUL HARDING knights 5,
ST. PAUL HIGHLAND PARK scots 2
Two time defending champ St. Paul Harding opened their season with a 5-2 win over host Highland Park. The Knights took the last three singles and the first two doubles to put together their win. Highland Park's Khoua Xiong took first singles in a tight three game match, while HP's third doubles also won a three game match. HP was 2-1 in three game matches overall.
I made it just in time as the two squads were being introduced. If you have been to HP then you know there isn't a lot of wiggle room for spectators. I was tucked into a crevice for the first game and then climbed the bleachers for a bird's eye view of the bird. Another interesting feature was the nets in play were full of holes and there was one occasion that the bird flew through the net. The players called that play right away.
FIRST SINGLES
This was the first singles match all year that went three games I watched. It was compelling as the rallies lasted a good long time. In another facet, I have different scores. It may be there were some do overs I didn't catch.
In game one Khoua took early 6-3 lead as she was able to get points off each of her first three serves. That lead moved to 10-4 and 11-5 after her 5th serve. Mee came back with four straight points on Khoua hitting errors. Khoua added three, but then Mee added three to make it 14-12 for Khoua. Khoua led right to the end, but then Mee closed with four straight and finished off game one with a clear for a 22-20 win.
In game two Mee had the early advantage at 5-1. Khoua took the
lead at 10-6 after a 9-1 run. Khoua mixed up the shot selection to keep Mee guessing and running. Mee regained the lead at 13-12 after four straight points. Another 6-1 run put Khoua back in front 17-15 (player's score). Both traded side outs. Mee tied the game at 18. Khoua stopped Mee's serve with a clear, and then traded side outs. The game winner was a smash to even the series.
Mee ran off the first three points, but that lead was short lived. Khoua had a 12-2 run with a key point coming at 12. Khoua kept the bird in play with hustle all over the court. Mee was only able to get one point off her serve in the next five attempts. Khoua was able to get four points off her next four serves and that made the difference.
Khoua had a big edge in sideout % and winners with 11 more than Mee.
SIDEOUTS:
Khoua 16/29-.552; Mee 10/28-.357
SERVE RUNS:
Khoua 5 (twice); Mee 3 (four times)
POINTS:
Khoua 65
Winners: 28: Drives 11, Drops 8, Clears 7, Smashes 2
Mee Errors 37: hitting 35 (Net 21, Wide 8, Deep 5, Fan 1); serving 2 (wide 2)
Mee 51
Winners 17: Drops 7, Drives 6, Clears 2, Smashes 2
Khoa errors 34: hitting 29 (Net 21, Wide 6, Deep 1, Fan 1); Serving 5 (wide 3, net 2)
Time: 22 minutes.
SINGLES
1. Khoua Xiong (HP) beat Mee Xiong 20-22, 21-19, 21-10
2. Stephanie King (H) beat Micha Everts 21-10, 21-9
3. Kazoua Yang (H) beat Elena Kronmiller 21-16, 21-15
4. Gao Thao (H) beat Mai Yia Moua 21-15, 21-10
DOUBLES
1. Alana Yang/Mor Xiong (H) beat Grace Moran/Alison Cole 21-9, 21-18
2. Chao Xiong/Pa Nhia Vang (H) beat Pa Kou Lor/Drew Thao 21-19, 16-21, 21-11
3. Seng Lee/Pa Ying Moua (HP) beat Linda Yang/Bao Vang 21-19, 16-21, 21-11
BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 3-1 .750
Games: Harding 7-2 .778
Points: Harding 177-137 .564
decided by 10+: Harding 3-1 .750
decided by 3 or less: 1-1
DOUBLES
matches: Harding 2-1 .667
games: Harding 5-3 .625
points: Harding 144-138 .511
decided by 10+: Harding 3-0 1.000
decided by 3: Harding 3-0 1.000
Next up: tomorrow
