#1 posting 5.16.2008
badminton news & information
EDEN PRAIRIE SWEEPS TITLES
Eden Prairie won both the singles and doubles titles for the first time ever. Both Katie Vohnoutka and the doubles pair of Becca Wade and Larysa Eteneuer were the number one seeds entering the tournament and they made those seeds hold up. Vohnoutka won the title with a 21-15, 21-10 win over #3 seed Mee Xiong. Wade & Eteneuer beat Goly Yang and Belick Pha of Johnson for the title 21-12, 21-12.
badminton news & information
EDEN PRAIRIE SWEEPS TITLES
Eden Prairie won both the singles and doubles titles for the first time ever. Both Katie Vohnoutka and the doubles pair of Becca Wade and Larysa Eteneuer were the number one seeds entering the tournament and they made those seeds hold up. Vohnoutka won the title with a 21-15, 21-10 win over #3 seed Mee Xiong. Wade & Eteneuer beat Goly Yang and Belick Pha of Johnson for the title 21-12, 21-12. Photo: Coach John Becker, Larysa Euteneuer, Katie Vohnoutka, Rebecca Wade, Coach Brian Strand. photo by kja
The last time a school swept the two titles was in 2006 with St. Paul Harding. According to sources this was the first time in six years St. Paul didn't have a state champion in the individual side.
I got to Harding at 3:13 thanks to delays along 694. Unfortunately action had already started for the first round. I will detail the Mee Xiong vs Khoua Xiong match later, but I only got there for games 2 and 3.
In the semifinals today Vohnoutka beat #5 seed Stephanie King 21-12, 21-16.
On the doubles side Wade and Eteneuer beat the Burnsville duo of Amy Linblad and Natalie Leiker 21-9, 21-8. In the other all Johnson semifinal it was Goly Yang and Belick Pha beating fellow Governors Kia Thao and Kou Nou Chang 21-14, 21-14.
The tournament played the 3rd place games prior to the championships. On the singles side Khoua Xiong beat Stephanie King, while Thao and Chang beat Linblad and Leiker for third in the doubles.
Each championship match was the only court open. There was undivided attention on the match at hand and I prefer it that way. It gave me a chance to watch both. I think the fan base also enjoyed getting a chance to see both championships.
DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP
Becca Wade/Larysa Eteneuer vs Goly Yang/Belick Pha
This is the first doubles match I charted all year from start to finish. The Eden Prairie duo put together more runs and limited the runs against them (8-2). The first big break came on Becca Wade's serve when she had four points to p
ut EP up 9-5. Combine that with another five point run on Eteneuer's serve made it 14-6. All in all it was a 10-1 run. Another four point run put EP on the verge at 20-11. Two side outs, the last on a missed serve ended the first game 21-12.Johnson had a quick start in game two up 3-1. EP put together three runs on four serves on a 12-3 run put the Eagle duo in the drivers seat at 13-6. Another 6-1 run made it 19-9. The game ended on an ace by Wade 20-12.
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photos: #1. Belick Pha and Goly Yang ready for a return. #2 Becca Wade sends the bird over with Laryssa Eteneuer in the background. photos by kja
FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Eden Prairie 8/15-.533; Johnson 4/16-.250
RUNS OF 3+:
Eden Prairie 8, Johnson 2
POINTS:
Eden Prairie 42
Winners 18: Drives 8, Smashes 4, Aces 3, Clears 2, Drops 1
Johnson Errors 24: hitting 20 (Net 7, Fans 6, Wide 5, Deep 2), Serving 4 (Net 3, Short 1)
Johnson
Winners: 7: Drives 4, Drops 2, Clears 1
Eden Prairie Errors 17: hitting 16 (Wide 5, Net 5, Deep 4, Fan 2); Serving 1 (net 1)
Time: 12:16
SINGLES
Mee Xiong vs Khoua Xiong Semifinals
Like I said I am very unhappy I couldn't get her for the start of this contest.
It was the fourth time these two players met and it was the first time this year Mee Xiong won. In the first contest at Highland Khoua won in three. At Harding the match went three games too. Last week in the City championships it went two, but the margin was only six points.
Today Khoua won the first game 21-17. Mee took the last two 21-17, 21-18. For the last two games neither player had a strong side out game. Neither was above .500.
Khoua Xiong was never able (in the last two games) able to score many points off her signature soft drive cut shot. She only had four in the last two games. Mee Xiong had a in and out game meaning her points came on drops close to the net or in the deep back ally.
Game two saw Mee go up 16-12 only to have Khoua tie it at 16. Mee got the side out on a soft drive and then had a three point run to go up 20-16. Two side outs later and the series was tied at one apiece.
Mee started the deciding third game with a run of four including three drops. When Khoua got the bird back on a side out she served wide. Khoua did cut the margin to 7-5 with a three point run including an ace. Mee used a three point run to go up 10-5. Another Mee run of three gave her a 13-7 advantage. Khoua used two Mee fans and a drive to cut the margin to 14-10. A four point run made it 17-10 for Mee. Khoua didn't quit and used a couple of clears to trail 17-16. She tied it at 18 on her signature shot. Mee got the side out when Khoua tried a smash that ended up in the net. On point 20 Khoua got tripped up on the back line for an ace. The game ended on a drop attempt that ended in the net.
FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Eden Prairie 8/15-.533; Johnson 4/16-.250
RUNS OF 3+:
Eden Prairie 8, Johnson 2
POINTS:
Eden Prairie 42
Winners 18: Drives 8, Smashes 4, Aces 3, Clears 2, Drops 1
Johnson Errors 24: hitting 20 (Net 7, Fans 6, Wide 5, Deep 2), Serving 4 (Net 3, Short 1)
Johnson
Winners: 7: Drives 4, Drops 2, Clears 1
Eden Prairie Errors 17: hitting 16 (Wide 5, Net 5, Deep 4, Fan 2); Serving 1 (net 1)
Time: 12:16
SINGLES
Mee Xiong vs Khoua Xiong Semifinals
Like I said I am very unhappy I couldn't get her for the start of this contest.It was the fourth time these two players met and it was the first time this year Mee Xiong won. In the first contest at Highland Khoua won in three. At Harding the match went three games too. Last week in the City championships it went two, but the margin was only six points.
Today Khoua won the first game 21-17. Mee took the last two 21-17, 21-18. For the last two games neither player had a strong side out game. Neither was above .500.
Khoua Xiong was never able (in the last two games) able to score many points off her signature soft drive cut shot. She only had four in the last two games. Mee Xiong had a in and out game meaning her points came on drops close to the net or in the deep back ally.
Game two saw Mee go up 16-12 only to have Khoua tie it at 16. Mee got the side out on a soft drive and then had a three point run to go up 20-16. Two side outs later and the series was tied at one apiece.
Mee started the deciding third game with a run of four including three drops. When Khoua got the bird back on a side out she served wide. Khoua did cut the margin to 7-5 with a three point run including an ace. Mee used a three point run to go up 10-5. Another Mee run of three gave her a 13-7 advantage. Khoua used two Mee fans and a drive to cut the margin to 14-10. A four point run made it 17-10 for Mee. Khoua didn't quit and used a couple of clears to trail 17-16. She tied it at 18 on her signature shot. Mee got the side out when Khoua tried a smash that ended up in the net. On point 20 Khoua got tripped up on the back line for an ace. The game ended on a drop attempt that ended in the net.
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Photos: #1 The two Xiongs. #2. Khoua Xiong at point 20 in game three. photos by kja
SINGLES SEMIFINALS NUMBERS (last two games)
SIDEOUTS:
Mee Xiong 7/17-.412; Khoua Xiong 5/17-.294
RUNS OF 3+:
Mee Xiong 7, Khoua Xiong 5
POINTS: *(of only the last two games)
Mee Xiong 42
Winners 18: Clears 6, Drops 6, Drives 3, Smashes 1, Soft Drives 1, Aces 1
Khoua Xiong Errors 24: hitting 22 (Net 14, Wide 7, Deep 1), Serving 2 (wide 1, short 1)
Khoua Xiong 35
Winners: 15: Soft Drives 4, Clears 4, Drives 3, Aces 2, Drops 2
Mee Xiong Errors 20: hitting 19 (Wide 7, Net 6, Deep 4, Fan 2); Serving 1 (short 1)
CHAMPIONSHIP
Katie Vohnoutka vs Mee Xiong
Katie Vohnoutka finished the season unblemished at 20-0. She did not lose one game in the state finishing 10-0. Last year Vohnoutka finished in 3rd place.
The most she gave up in a two game series was in the semis with King getting 28. Here are the totals points given up
Yer Yang, Henry 10
KY, Arlington 15
Shoua Moua, Humboldt 24
Stephanie King, Harding 28
Mee Xiong, Harding 25
So for the tournament the average Vohnoutka's opponent scored was 10.2.
Vohnoutka had a stronger side out game, had more runs and halted any that Mee Xiong had in mind, plus had an advantage in winners with 23. Meanwhile Mee Xiong had 5 winners. Vohnoutka proved today that she has more game than a smash.
The first game started off with a signature smash by Vohnoutka. The first surge came with a four point run to go up 8-4. That margin held up until another run, this time six points. That made the score 19-10. Vohnoutka had a 20-12 lead but Xiong had her only run of three to cut the margin to 20-15. The game ended with a Xiong hit that sailed wide.
Just as the first game, the second game started off with a Vohnoutka smash. She had 10 smashes on the day. Xiong led 5-4 when Vohnoutka took the lead for good on a three point run including an ace and of course a smash. Vohnoutka had two more runs, one of six and a final run of five to finish the game.
This was the third time I saw these two match up. The first time at the Burnsville Triangular Vohnoutka won 22-20 and 21-13. The second time I saw them was at Burnsville on Wednesday in the State Team title. Vohnoutka won that contest 21-16, 21-14.
SINGLES SEMIFINALS NUMBERS (last two games)
SIDEOUTS:
Mee Xiong 7/17-.412; Khoua Xiong 5/17-.294
RUNS OF 3+:
Mee Xiong 7, Khoua Xiong 5
POINTS: *(of only the last two games)
Mee Xiong 42
Winners 18: Clears 6, Drops 6, Drives 3, Smashes 1, Soft Drives 1, Aces 1
Khoua Xiong Errors 24: hitting 22 (Net 14, Wide 7, Deep 1), Serving 2 (wide 1, short 1)
Khoua Xiong 35
Winners: 15: Soft Drives 4, Clears 4, Drives 3, Aces 2, Drops 2
Mee Xiong Errors 20: hitting 19 (Wide 7, Net 6, Deep 4, Fan 2); Serving 1 (short 1)
CHAMPIONSHIP
Katie Vohnoutka vs Mee Xiong
Katie Vohnoutka finished the season unblemished at 20-0. She did not lose one game in the state finishing 10-0. Last year Vohnoutka finished in 3rd place.
The most she gave up in a two game series was in the semis with King getting 28. Here are the totals points given up
Yer Yang, Henry 10
KY, Arlington 15
Shoua Moua, Humboldt 24
Stephanie King, Harding 28
Mee Xiong, Harding 25
So for the tournament the average Vohnoutka's opponent scored was 10.2.
Vohnoutka had a stronger side out game, had more runs and halted any that Mee Xiong had in mind, plus had an advantage in winners with 23. Meanwhile Mee Xiong had 5 winners. Vohnoutka proved today that she has more game than a smash.
The first game started off with a signature smash by Vohnoutka. The first surge came with a four point run to go up 8-4. That margin held up until another run, this time six points. That made the score 19-10. Vohnoutka had a 20-12 lead but Xiong had her only run of three to cut the margin to 20-15. The game ended with a Xiong hit that sailed wide.Just as the first game, the second game started off with a Vohnoutka smash. She had 10 smashes on the day. Xiong led 5-4 when Vohnoutka took the lead for good on a three point run including an ace and of course a smash. Vohnoutka had two more runs, one of six and a final run of five to finish the game.
This was the third time I saw these two match up. The first time at the Burnsville Triangular Vohnoutka won 22-20 and 21-13. The second time I saw them was at Burnsville on Wednesday in the State Team title. Vohnoutka won that contest 21-16, 21-14. Photos: #1. Mee Xiong with a drop attempt. #2. Katie Vouhnoutka ready to smash. #3 the celebration with the doubles champs Wade and Eteneuer. photos by kja
FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Katie Vohnoutka 8/16-.500; Mee Xiong 5/17-.294
RUNS OF 3+:
Katie Vohnoutka 5 Mee Xiong 1
POINTS:
Katie Vohnoutka 42
Winners 23: Smashes 10, Clears 5, Soft Drives 3, Drives 2, Drops 2, Aces 1
Mee Xiong Errors 19: hitting 17 (Net 12, Wide 3, Deep 2), Serving 2 (wide 1, net)
Mee Xiong 25
Winners: 5: Drives 2, Clears 2, Smash 1
Katie Vohnoutka Errors 20: hitting 18 (Wide 9, Net 6, Deep 2, Fan 1); Serving 2 (short 1, deep 1)
Time: 12:32
FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Katie Vohnoutka 8/16-.500; Mee Xiong 5/17-.294
RUNS OF 3+:
Katie Vohnoutka 5 Mee Xiong 1
POINTS:
Katie Vohnoutka 42
Winners 23: Smashes 10, Clears 5, Soft Drives 3, Drives 2, Drops 2, Aces 1
Mee Xiong Errors 19: hitting 17 (Net 12, Wide 3, Deep 2), Serving 2 (wide 1, net)
Mee Xiong 25
Winners: 5: Drives 2, Clears 2, Smash 1
Katie Vohnoutka Errors 20: hitting 18 (Wide 9, Net 6, Deep 2, Fan 1); Serving 2 (short 1, deep 1)
Time: 12:32
Photos: #1 The double winners 1st: Becca Wade, Larysa Eteneuer, Eden Prairie; 4th: Amy Linblad, Natalie Leiker Burnsville; 3rd: Kia Thao and Kou Nou Chang; and 2nd Goly Yang and Belick Pha, Johnson. 
#2. 1st Katie Vohnoutka, Eden Prairie; 2nd Mee Xiong, Harding; 3rd Khoua Xiong, Highland Park; 4th Stephanie King, Harding. photos by kjaCongratulations on all players, coaches and teams for an outstanding tournament and outstanding season.
Next up: I pass out some awards next week.
Next up: I pass out some awards next week.
