#2 posting 5.14.2008
badminton news & information
MINNESOTA STATE TEAM TITLE
HARDING THREE-PEATS
#1 seed St. Paul Harding won their third straight team title with a 5-2 win over Eden Prairie. It was the second straight year the two teams met in the finals. Last year Harding won 6-1.
Harding made it to the finals with a 6-1 win over St. Paul Central. #3 seed Eden Prairie beat #2 St. Paul Johnson in the other semifinal 4-3.
In the third place contest Johnson beat Central 5-2.
CHAMPIONSHIP
HARDING knights 5, EDEN PRAIRIE eagles 2
Eden Prairie won both first singles and dou
bles, and Harding took the rest in putting together their third straight title. The only match that lasted three games came at third singles with Crystal Yang winning the last two games. By that time it was already known that Harding had won the title.
In games decided by three or less Harding had the edge with two wins in doubles and one in singles.
badminton news & information
MINNESOTA STATE TEAM TITLE
HARDING THREE-PEATS
#1 seed St. Paul Harding won their third straight team title with a 5-2 win over Eden Prairie. It was the second straight year the two teams met in the finals. Last year Harding won 6-1.
Harding made it to the finals with a 6-1 win over St. Paul Central. #3 seed Eden Prairie beat #2 St. Paul Johnson in the other semifinal 4-3.
In the third place contest Johnson beat Central 5-2.
CHAMPIONSHIP
HARDING knights 5, EDEN PRAIRIE eagles 2
Eden Prairie won both first singles and dou
bles, and Harding took the rest in putting together their third straight title. The only match that lasted three games came at third singles with Crystal Yang winning the last two games. By that time it was already known that Harding had won the title.In games decided by three or less Harding had the edge with two wins in doubles and one in singles.
Photo: back to back to back 2008 state champs Harding. Runner up Eden Prairie. photos by kja
FIRST SINGLES
Katie Vohnoutka did not allow any runs in a two game set with Mee Xiong while using five for the cause. In game one Vohnoutka had two runs combined for a 7-1 advantage as she built an 8-3 lead. Xiong did battle back to 11-9. But Xiong's strategy of putting the bird on the back line also put the bird out. Xion
g had a combined 9 hitting errors that were deep in the two games. Vohnoutka used another of her runs to go up 14-9. Xiong cut it back to 18-15, but she never could get traction on runs. At most two points, never three. Game one ended with a deep hitting error for a 21-16 score for Vohnoutka.
Game two had similarities with the first. Vohnoutka opened 2-0 and had had her first of two runs in game two to go up 6-2. Xiong closed to 11-8, but Vohnoutka had too much power, too much length to be sidetracked. Vohnoutka added three points to go up 16-9. The side out game took over late and Vohnoutka rode that to a 21-14 victory.
FIRST SINGLES
Katie Vohnoutka did not allow any runs in a two game set with Mee Xiong while using five for the cause. In game one Vohnoutka had two runs combined for a 7-1 advantage as she built an 8-3 lead. Xiong did battle back to 11-9. But Xiong's strategy of putting the bird on the back line also put the bird out. Xion
g had a combined 9 hitting errors that were deep in the two games. Vohnoutka used another of her runs to go up 14-9. Xiong cut it back to 18-15, but she never could get traction on runs. At most two points, never three. Game one ended with a deep hitting error for a 21-16 score for Vohnoutka.Game two had similarities with the first. Vohnoutka opened 2-0 and had had her first of two runs in game two to go up 6-2. Xiong closed to 11-8, but Vohnoutka had too much power, too much length to be sidetracked. Vohnoutka added three points to go up 16-9. The side out game took over late and Vohnoutka rode that to a 21-14 victory.
photos: #1 Vohnoutka reaching for a drop. #2 Xiong with a back hand. photos by kja
FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Katie Vohnoutka 12/21-.571; Mee Xiong 12/23 .522
RUNS OF 3+:
Katie Vohnoutka 5 Goly Yang 0
POINTS:
Katie Vohnoutka 42
Winners 20: Smashes 10, Drops 3, Soft Drives 3, Clears 2 Drives 2
Mee Xiong Errors 22: hitting 21 (Deep 9, Net 7, wide 4, Fan 1), Serving 1 (wide 1)
Mee Xiong 30
Winners: 13: Soft Drives 3, Drives 3, Drops 3, Clears 3, Smashes 1
Katie Vohnoutka Errors 17: hitting 16 (Net 10, Wide 5, Deep 1); Serving 1 (wide 1)
Time: 14:08
SINGLES
1. Katie Vohnoutka (EP) beat Mee Xiong 21-16, 21-14
2. Stephanie King (H) beat Nicky Wade 21-8, 21-13
3. Crystal Yang (H) beat Zyue Chen 16-21, 21-13, 21-18
4. Alana Yang (H) beat Janet Stewart 21-10, 21-14
DOUBLES
1. Becca Wade/Larysa Eteneuer (EP) beat Pa Nyia Thao/Mai Ngia Xiong 21-14, 21-17
2. Gao Thao/Kazoua Yang (H) beat Samantha Klemp/Heather Blake 21-12, 21-18
3. Chao Xiong/Pa Nhia Vang (H) beat Morgan Woodrow/Laura Stone 21-19, 21-13
BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 3-1 .750
Games: Harding 6-3 .667
Points: Harding 172-139 .553
decided by 10+: Harding 2-0 1.000
decided by 3-: Harding 1-0 1.000
DOUBLES
matches: Harding 2-1 .667
games: Harding 4-2 .667
points: Harding 115-104 .525
decided by 10+: none
decided by 3-: Harding 2-0
THIRD PLACE
JOHNSON governors 5, CENTRAL minutemen 2
Just like the championship game, 
Central won at first singles and doubles, and Johnson took the rest to claim third place. However this match was closer as evidenced by the number of three game matches. Three of the singles went the distance with one doubles lasting three. At second singles Belick Pha outlasted Kari Finseth after falling in the first game 21-10. Pha edged Finseth by two in the second game and three in the final.
FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Katie Vohnoutka 12/21-.571; Mee Xiong 12/23 .522
RUNS OF 3+:
Katie Vohnoutka 5 Goly Yang 0
POINTS:
Katie Vohnoutka 42
Winners 20: Smashes 10, Drops 3, Soft Drives 3, Clears 2 Drives 2
Mee Xiong Errors 22: hitting 21 (Deep 9, Net 7, wide 4, Fan 1), Serving 1 (wide 1)
Mee Xiong 30
Winners: 13: Soft Drives 3, Drives 3, Drops 3, Clears 3, Smashes 1
Katie Vohnoutka Errors 17: hitting 16 (Net 10, Wide 5, Deep 1); Serving 1 (wide 1)
Time: 14:08
SINGLES
1. Katie Vohnoutka (EP) beat Mee Xiong 21-16, 21-14
2. Stephanie King (H) beat Nicky Wade 21-8, 21-13
3. Crystal Yang (H) beat Zyue Chen 16-21, 21-13, 21-18
4. Alana Yang (H) beat Janet Stewart 21-10, 21-14
DOUBLES
1. Becca Wade/Larysa Eteneuer (EP) beat Pa Nyia Thao/Mai Ngia Xiong 21-14, 21-17
2. Gao Thao/Kazoua Yang (H) beat Samantha Klemp/Heather Blake 21-12, 21-18
3. Chao Xiong/Pa Nhia Vang (H) beat Morgan Woodrow/Laura Stone 21-19, 21-13
BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 3-1 .750
Games: Harding 6-3 .667
Points: Harding 172-139 .553
decided by 10+: Harding 2-0 1.000
decided by 3-: Harding 1-0 1.000
DOUBLES
matches: Harding 2-1 .667
games: Harding 4-2 .667
points: Harding 115-104 .525
decided by 10+: none
decided by 3-: Harding 2-0
THIRD PLACE
JOHNSON governors 5, CENTRAL minutemen 2
Just like the championship game, 
Central won at first singles and doubles, and Johnson took the rest to claim third place. However this match was closer as evidenced by the number of three game matches. Three of the singles went the distance with one doubles lasting three. At second singles Belick Pha outlasted Kari Finseth after falling in the first game 21-10. Pha edged Finseth by two in the second game and three in the final. photos: 3rd place Johnson, 4th place Central. photos by kja
SINGLES
1. Yer Chang (C) beat Goly Yang 21-17, 12-21, 21-15
2. Belick Pha (J) beat Kari Finseth 10-21, 21-19, 21-18
3. Olamade Fudahunsi (J) beat Dawn Vang 21-12, 21-9
4. Pang Thao (J) beat Ka Yang 21-12, 11-21, 21-13
DOUBLES
1. Doua Thao/Da Chang (C) beat Kia Thao/Kou Nou Chang 21-13, 21-19
2. Sheng Thao/Pau Chu (J) beat Malinda Xiong/Mai See Xiong 21-16, 18-21, 21-16
3. Hlee Vang/Cha Lor (J) beat Phoua Xiong/Mai Sia Yang 21-15, 21-11
BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Johnson 3-1 .750
Games: Johnson 7-4 .636
Points: Johnson 200-179 .528
decided by 10+: Central 2-1 .667
decided by 3-: Johnson 2-0 1.000
DOUBLES
matches: Johnson 2-1 .667
games: Johnson 4-3 .571
points: Johnson 134-121 .525
decided by 10+: Johnson 1-0 1.000
decided by 3-: Central 2-0 1.000
SEMIFINALS
HARDING knights 6, CENTRAL minutemen 1
Harding started their day with a 6-1 win over Central. The Knights swept the singles and added the 2nd and 3rd doubles to put together the win. Two matches lasted three games and in both circumstances Harding prevailed. The Knights won in three at 4th singles and 3rd doubles. Alana Yang had a comeback win after falling in the first game.
SINGLES
1. Mee Xiong (H) beat Yer Chang 21-12, 21-8
2. Stephanie King (H) beat Kari Finseth 21-7, 21-11
3. Crystal Yang (H) beat Dawn Vang 23-21, 21-16
4. Alana Yang (H) beat Ka Yang 19-21, 21-9, 21-13
DOUBLES
1. Doua Thao/Da Chang (C) beat Pa Nyia Thao/Mai Ngia Xiong 21-16, 21-14
2. Gao Thao/Kazoua Yang (H) beat Malinda Xiong/Mai See Xiong 21-16, 21-13
3. Chao Xiong/Pa Nhia Vang (H) beat Phoua Xiong/Mai Sia Yang 21-12, 18-21, 21-17
BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 4-0 1.000
Games: Harding 8-1 .889
Points: Harding 189-118 .616
decided by 10+: Harding 4-0 1.000
decided by 3-: Harding 1-1 .500
DOUBLES
matches: Harding 2-1 .667
games: Harding 4-3 .571
points: Harding 132-121 .522
decided by 10+: none
decided by 3-: Central 1-0 1.000
SEMIFINALS
EDEN PRAIRIE eagles 4, JOHNSON governors 3
This was the tightest of the three games and it was an upset considering Johnson was the #2 seed going in and had beat EP 5-2 earlier in the year at EP. The difference this time was EP picked up one win in the singles and one in the doubles. It should be noted that Wade and Eteneuer didn't play in the first event.
Nicky Wade and Zyue Chen each picked up wins the second time around in singles. The key event came at third singles with Zyue Chen edging Olamade Fudahunsi 24-22 in the second game. In the first time the two teams played Fudahunsi played at fourth singles. Belick Pha won the first time at third singles and this time moved to second and lost.
FIRST SINGLES
Katie Vohnoutka used a strong side out game to stymie Goly Yang in straight sets. The first contest had 12 serves for each player. The second game saw that number cut in half. Vohnoutka sided out at 82.4%. On top of that she had a 5-0 advantage in runs of 3 or more.
It was a tight first game until Vohnoutka used a pair of smashes in a six point run to go up 18-11. Vohnoutka sided out the last three times to get the game one win.
In game two Vohnoutka opened 5-0. Stretching back to the first game Vohnoutka kept her side out streak alive with 8 straight. Yang never got on track and the game was over in less than five minutes.
SINGLES
1. Yer Chang (C) beat Goly Yang 21-17, 12-21, 21-15
2. Belick Pha (J) beat Kari Finseth 10-21, 21-19, 21-18
3. Olamade Fudahunsi (J) beat Dawn Vang 21-12, 21-9
4. Pang Thao (J) beat Ka Yang 21-12, 11-21, 21-13
DOUBLES
1. Doua Thao/Da Chang (C) beat Kia Thao/Kou Nou Chang 21-13, 21-19
2. Sheng Thao/Pau Chu (J) beat Malinda Xiong/Mai See Xiong 21-16, 18-21, 21-16
3. Hlee Vang/Cha Lor (J) beat Phoua Xiong/Mai Sia Yang 21-15, 21-11
BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Johnson 3-1 .750
Games: Johnson 7-4 .636
Points: Johnson 200-179 .528
decided by 10+: Central 2-1 .667
decided by 3-: Johnson 2-0 1.000
DOUBLES
matches: Johnson 2-1 .667
games: Johnson 4-3 .571
points: Johnson 134-121 .525
decided by 10+: Johnson 1-0 1.000
decided by 3-: Central 2-0 1.000
SEMIFINALS
HARDING knights 6, CENTRAL minutemen 1
Harding started their day with a 6-1 win over Central. The Knights swept the singles and added the 2nd and 3rd doubles to put together the win. Two matches lasted three games and in both circumstances Harding prevailed. The Knights won in three at 4th singles and 3rd doubles. Alana Yang had a comeback win after falling in the first game.
SINGLES
1. Mee Xiong (H) beat Yer Chang 21-12, 21-8
2. Stephanie King (H) beat Kari Finseth 21-7, 21-11
3. Crystal Yang (H) beat Dawn Vang 23-21, 21-16
4. Alana Yang (H) beat Ka Yang 19-21, 21-9, 21-13
DOUBLES
1. Doua Thao/Da Chang (C) beat Pa Nyia Thao/Mai Ngia Xiong 21-16, 21-14
2. Gao Thao/Kazoua Yang (H) beat Malinda Xiong/Mai See Xiong 21-16, 21-13
3. Chao Xiong/Pa Nhia Vang (H) beat Phoua Xiong/Mai Sia Yang 21-12, 18-21, 21-17
BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 4-0 1.000
Games: Harding 8-1 .889
Points: Harding 189-118 .616
decided by 10+: Harding 4-0 1.000
decided by 3-: Harding 1-1 .500
DOUBLES
matches: Harding 2-1 .667
games: Harding 4-3 .571
points: Harding 132-121 .522
decided by 10+: none
decided by 3-: Central 1-0 1.000
SEMIFINALS
EDEN PRAIRIE eagles 4, JOHNSON governors 3
This was the tightest of the three games and it was an upset considering Johnson was the #2 seed going in and had beat EP 5-2 earlier in the year at EP. The difference this time was EP picked up one win in the singles and one in the doubles. It should be noted that Wade and Eteneuer didn't play in the first event.
Nicky Wade and Zyue Chen each picked up wins the second time around in singles. The key event came at third singles with Zyue Chen edging Olamade Fudahunsi 24-22 in the second game. In the first time the two teams played Fudahunsi played at fourth singles. Belick Pha won the first time at third singles and this time moved to second and lost.
FIRST SINGLES
Katie Vohnoutka used a strong side out game to stymie Goly Yang in straight sets. The first contest had 12 serves for each player. The second game saw that number cut in half. Vohnoutka sided out at 82.4%. On top of that she had a 5-0 advantage in runs of 3 or more.It was a tight first game until Vohnoutka used a pair of smashes in a six point run to go up 18-11. Vohnoutka sided out the last three times to get the game one win.
In game two Vohnoutka opened 5-0. Stretching back to the first game Vohnoutka kept her side out streak alive with 8 straight. Yang never got on track and the game was over in less than five minutes.
photo: The bird hovers above the net as both players ponder their next move. photo by kja
FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Katie Vohnoutka 14/17-.824; Goly Yang 8/18 .444
RUNS OF 3+:
Katie Vohnoutka 5 Goly Yang 0
POINTS:
Katie Vohnoutka 42
Winners 28: Smashes 14, Clears 5, Drops 5, Drives 3, Soft drive 1
Goly Yang Errors 14: hitting 14 (Net 8, Wide 6)
Goly Yang 20
Winners: 11: Soft Drives 4, Smashes 3, Drops 2, Clears 1, Drives 1
Katie Vohnoutka Errors 9: hitting 7 (Net 4, Wide 3); Serving 2 (wide 1, net 1)
Time: 11:41
SINGLES
1. Katie Vohnoutka (EP) beat Goly Yang 21-14, 21-6
2. Nicky Wade (EP) beat Belick Pha 21-5, 21-14
3. Zyue Chen (EP) beat Olamade Fudahunsi 21-18, 24-22
4. Pang Thao (J) beat Janet Stewart 21-10, 21-17
DOUBLES
1. Becca Wade/Larysa Eteneuer (EP) beat Kia Thao/Kou Nou Chang 21-16, 21-17
2. Sheng Thao/Pau Chu (J) beat Samantha Klemp/Heather Blake 21-15, 19-21, 21-19
3. Hlee Vang/Cha Lor (J) beat Morgan Woodrow/Laura Stone 21-15, 21-15
BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Eden Prairie 3-1 .750
Games: Eden Prairie 6-2 .750
Points: Eden Prairie 156-106 .595
decided by 10+: Eden Prairie 2-1 .667
decided by 3-: Eden Prairie 2-0 1.000
DOUBLES
matches: Johnson 2-1 .667
games: Johnson 4-3 .571
points: Johnson 136-127 .517
decided by 10+: none
decided by 3-: Johnson 1-1 .500
The individual state tournament starts tomorrow at 3:15 at St. Paul Harding. Favored in the singles is Katie Vohnoutka who has not lost this season.
next up: tomorrow after the first round of Individual State.
FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Katie Vohnoutka 14/17-.824; Goly Yang 8/18 .444
RUNS OF 3+:
Katie Vohnoutka 5 Goly Yang 0
POINTS:
Katie Vohnoutka 42
Winners 28: Smashes 14, Clears 5, Drops 5, Drives 3, Soft drive 1
Goly Yang Errors 14: hitting 14 (Net 8, Wide 6)
Goly Yang 20
Winners: 11: Soft Drives 4, Smashes 3, Drops 2, Clears 1, Drives 1
Katie Vohnoutka Errors 9: hitting 7 (Net 4, Wide 3); Serving 2 (wide 1, net 1)
Time: 11:41
SINGLES
1. Katie Vohnoutka (EP) beat Goly Yang 21-14, 21-6
2. Nicky Wade (EP) beat Belick Pha 21-5, 21-14
3. Zyue Chen (EP) beat Olamade Fudahunsi 21-18, 24-22
4. Pang Thao (J) beat Janet Stewart 21-10, 21-17
DOUBLES
1. Becca Wade/Larysa Eteneuer (EP) beat Kia Thao/Kou Nou Chang 21-16, 21-17
2. Sheng Thao/Pau Chu (J) beat Samantha Klemp/Heather Blake 21-15, 19-21, 21-19
3. Hlee Vang/Cha Lor (J) beat Morgan Woodrow/Laura Stone 21-15, 21-15
BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Eden Prairie 3-1 .750
Games: Eden Prairie 6-2 .750
Points: Eden Prairie 156-106 .595
decided by 10+: Eden Prairie 2-1 .667
decided by 3-: Eden Prairie 2-0 1.000
DOUBLES
matches: Johnson 2-1 .667
games: Johnson 4-3 .571
points: Johnson 136-127 .517
decided by 10+: none
decided by 3-: Johnson 1-1 .500
The individual state tournament starts tomorrow at 3:15 at St. Paul Harding. Favored in the singles is Katie Vohnoutka who has not lost this season.
next up: tomorrow after the first round of Individual State.
