badmintonrecruit

New Site

2009-03-16T09:43:00.001-05:00

I have moved my operations over to kjasr.com

You can see the out & abouts and daily reports there.

Olympic Badminton

2008-08-01T08:43:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 8.1.2008
badminton news & information

OLYMPICS
The Olympics are almost here and badminton is part of the festivities.
The badminton goes from August 9th to the 17th.

Here is the USA Badminton site, which has some current information, but also has some out of date information (like hoping the 1996 Olympic team will do well--last paragraph in the USA in the Olympics article).

Here is the World Badminton Federation site

Photo News

2008-06-25T18:33:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 6.25.2008
badminton news & information

I now have a new lens that should give better photos next season. The lens is a 2.8 compared to the 5.6 model I was using this year. This means the lens will be able to take in more light, which is a good thing due to the dark nature of most of the gyms.

I also have a new site for photo sales. No badminton photos are there, but I should be able to post all the shots next year. The site is kevinanderson.photostockplus.com.

If you have questions, go to my profile and email me.

Best of 2008

2008-05-23T07:04:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 5.23.2008
badminton news & information

YEAR IN REVIEW/AWARDS
Best National Anthem---the only national anthem I heard during the year---at Eden Prairie when they faced St. Paul Johnson.

Best photo angle to watch a match: The top of the bleachers at Harding. Easier to get to than the Highland Park top bleachers.

Best Uniforms: Edison

Best Tour Guide---me. I helped Eden Prairie find the right door to enter at Edison.

Best 6-1 team match: Central vs Como Park at Central. Five of the matches went the distance. Four went to Central.

Best 4-3 team match: Harding vs Johnson at Harding. The doubles had tight scores.

Best individual match: Katie Vohnoutka (Eden Prairie) vs Khoua Xiong (Highland Park) at Eden Prairie. It was Vohnoutka's closest match of the year. Xiong actually outpointed her 55-52. 21-17, 12-21, 21-18.

Best Smash: Katie Vohnoutka, Eden Pairie

Best Soft Drive/cut shot: Khoua Xiong, Highland Park

Best move: Making the finals of the doubles and singles at the state tournament the spotlight event. It gave everyone a chance to see and cheer on their favorites. It gave each event a classy finish.

Worst trip---going to Minneapolis North to watch the Polars and Southwest. Southwest wasn't there. They were on vacation.

Worst trip part II--getting delayed on the "unweave the weave" and missing the opening game of the semis at the state individual tournament.

NEXT YEAR:
As far as next years favorites
Stephanie King of Harding is the only player returning from the top four individuals. She finished 4th this year. Others to watch include Olamide Fadahunsi of Johnson, Desiree Garcia of South, and Elena Kronmiller of Highland.

Da Chang and Doua Thao of Central may be the favorites in the doubles category. They weren't able to compete this year due to a California trip during the state tournament.

As far as the team title goes....Harding has won the last three years. They took a hit with graduation in 2008. It should be an interesting 2009.

FUTURE PLANS
In the next few months I will be moving to a full fledged website. I will have more on that when the site is up and running.

Also I will have more of the photos I took during the year up. I am going to work with someone to put them online and then folks can purchase their favorites.

Next up: When news breaks and when the site is up

Vohnoutka Athlete of the Week

2008-05-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 5.20.2008
badminton news & information

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Individual state champ Katie Vohnoutka of Eden Prairie is KARE 11's Athlete of the Week.

Next up some time this week: a look back at the year that was with some of my own awards and honors.

Tournament Recaps

2008-05-18T09:36:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 5.18.2008
badminton news & information

TOURNAMENT RECAPS
The StarTribune and Pioneer Press covered at the individual titles on Friday.

The StarTribune wrote about how her height and volleyball background helped Katie Vohnoutka in her undefeated season. ]
The Pioneer Press wrote about the one hour break between the semis and the finals.

next up: next week with a look back and a look ahead.

Eden Prairie Sweeps Titles

2008-05-16T19:40:00.002-05:00

#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.

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 put 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.

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.

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.

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

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 kja

Congratulations on all players, coaches and teams for an outstanding tournament and outstanding season.

Next up: I pass out some awards next week.

First Day Individual State

2008-05-15T20:48:00.002-05:00

#2 posting 5.15.2008
badminton news & information

INDIVIDUAL STATE TOURNAMENT
Today was round one of the individual and doubles portion of the state tournament. Surviving round one: were three of the top seeds in the individual and doubles.

SINGLES
FIRST ROUND
#1 Katie Vohnoutka, Eden Prairie beat Yer Yang, Henry 21-5, 21-5
KY, St. Paul Arlington beat Micha Everts, Highland Park 21-18, 22-20
Shoua Moua, Humboldt beat AB, Southwest 21-3, 21-15
Desirae Garcia, South beat TK, Roosevelt 21-15, 21-12
#4 Yer Chang, Central beat Ciera Hogenson, Burnsville 21-14, 21-18
Pang Thao, Johnson beat PX, Edison 21-18, 25-23
NNV, Como Park beat SA, Washburn 21-7, 21-3
#5 Stephanie King, Harding beat AV, North 21-6, 21-6
#2 Khoua Xiong, Highland Park beat MH, Southwest 21-5, 21-10
Dani Sack, Washburn beat BS, South 21-16, 21-13
Nicky Wade, Eden Prairie beat TR, Roosevelt 21-11, 21-9
OF, Johnson beat #7 Chu Mai Thao, Edison 20-22, 21-17, 21-18
#3 Mee Xiong, Harding beat BS, Burnsville 21-10, 21-9
Kari Finseth, Central beat SV, Humboldt 21-14, 17-21, 22-20
Cha Her, Arlington beat Foua Khang, North 17-21, 21-9, 21-6
#6 Yer Yang, Como Park beat Hnia Yang, Henry 21-14, 21-3
SWEET 16
#1 Katie Vohnoutka, Eden Prairie beat KY 21-7, 21-8
Shoua Moua, Humboldt beat #8 Desirae Garcia 21-16, 19-21, 21-16
#4 Yer Chang, Central beat Pang Thao, Johnson 21-17, 21-15
#5 Stephanie King, Harding beat KV 21-19, 17-21, 21-13
#2 Khoua Xiong, Highland Park beat Dani Sack, Washburn 21-17, 21-6
Nicky Wade, Eden Prairie beat OF, Johnson 15-21, 21-19, 21-16
#3 Mee Xiong, Harding beat Kari Finseth, Central 21-4, 21-14
Yer Yang, Como Park beat Cha Her, Arlington 21-11, 21-10
QUARTERFINALS
#1 Katie Vohnoutka, Eden Prairie beat Shoua Moua, Humboldt 21-11, 21-13
#5 Stephanie King, Harding beat #4 Yer Chang, Central 18-21, 21-3, 21-18
#2 Khoua Xiong, Highland Park beat Nicky Wade, Eden Prairie 21-10, 21-12
#3 Mee Xiong, Harding beat Yer Yang, Como Park 21-14, 20-22, 21-5

DOUBLES
FIRST ROUND
#1 Wade/Enteneur, Eden Prairie beat #McL/NY, Humboldt 15-21, 21-6, 21-16
PT/CV, Arlington beat NW/XYV, Washburn 21-12, 21-12
AC/GM, Highland Park beat JV/MZC, Roosevelt 21-17, 21-6
#8 CX/PNV, Harding beat MS/AB, Southwest 17-21, 21-9, 21-11
#4 MX/MVX, Central beat XX/KBX, Edison 21-16, 6-21, 21-15
B/A, Como Park beat JL/AS, North 21-16, 21-12
AL/NL, Burnsville beat DT/PKL, Highland Park 22-20, 21-18
#5 JH/KPB, South beat NV/ST, Henry 21-17, 21-18
#2 Goly Yang/Belick Pha, Johnson beat SK/HB, Eden Prairie 21-9, 21-19
MSY/PX, Central beat JOR/MN, South 21-10, 21-12
KK/SM, Burnsville beat GT/PHY, Humboldt 21-18, 21-10
#7 MNX/MX, Harding beat FH/FA, Washburn 21-3, 21-6
#3 Kia/Kou Nou, Johnson beat MA/CL, Roosevelt 21-10, 21-7
KK/VK, North beat N/P, Como Park 21-19, 21-15
LW/SX, Henry beat AC/BJ, Southwest 21-11, 21-8
#6 PY/KH, Arlington beat YV/BV, Edison 21-12, 21-14
SWEET 16
#1 Wade/Enteneur, Eden Prairie beat PT/CV, Arlington 21-8, 21-10
#8 CX/PNV, Harding beat PT/CV, Arlington 21-15, 21-12
#4 MX/MVX, Central beat B/A, Como Park 21-12, 21-17
AL/NL, Burnsville beat #5 JH/KPB, South 21-16, 21-15
#2 Goly Yang/Belick Pha, Johnson beat MSY/PX, Central 21-14, 21-18
#7 MNX/MX, Harding beat KK/SM, Burnsville 21-14, 21-10
#3 Kia/Kou Nou, Johnson beat KK/VK, North 21-6, 21-10
#6 PY/KH, Arlington beat LW/SX, Henry 21-9, 21-14
QUARTERFINALS
#1 Wade/Enteneur, Eden Prairie beat #8 CX/PNV, Harding 21-14, 21-13
AL/NL, Burnsville beat #4 MX/MVX, Central 21-17, 21-15
#2 Goly Yang/Belick Pha, Johnson beat #7 MNX/MX, Harding 21-15, 17-21, 21-13
#3 Kia/Kou Nou, Johnson beat #6 PY/KH, Arlington 21-13, 21-14

WHAT I SAW
I am going to give a thumbnail of the games I saw
MATCH ONE
#1 Katie Vohnoutka of Eden Prairie held Yer Yang of Henry to five points in each game. KV was a perfect 10/10 on side outs, KV also scored on all of her serves. The whole match lasted just over 10 minutes. KV only had one smash with the score 17-5 in the first game when she had three to finish up. In game KV had 8 more including the final point for a total of 12 smashes. In the 3+ run category KV won 9-0.
MATCH TWO
#2 Khoua Xiong of Highland Park took the stage with Madeline Hunsicker of Southwest in game two. This game also lasted slightly over 10 minutes as KX won 21-5, and 21-10. KX used a 10 point run in game one to go up 12-2. KX had a .857 side out % to .214 for Hunsicker. Also KX won the 3+ run title 6-0.
MATCH THREE
In the final first round match on court one (where I was perched) it was Cha Her of Arlington bouncing back from a first game loss to beat Foua Khang of North 17-21, 21-7, 21-6. The first game featured a combined 12 side outs. Also FK had a 3-1 advantage in runs in game one. FK had a four point run to go up 20-14. CH had her only run late, but FK halted it to get the win. In game two and three CH turned the tide. Her side out % was 9/12 while FK was 2/13. The 3+ game tipped to CH 8-0.
MATCH FOUR
This was the only Sweet 16 game I saw. #6 Yer Yang of Como Park topped Cha Her of Arlington 21-11, 21-10. Again side out % went to the winner. YY checked in at 14/17; CH had 9/19. The 3+ run advantage also favored YY 7-0. It was 13-10 in game two when YY finished off the match with a run of 8. It didn't help CH's cause in game two when she missed three serves.
MATCH FIVE
It was on to the quarterfinals and again #1 Katie Vohnoutka was on court 1 taking on Shoua Moua of Humboldt. KV won 21-11, 21-13. KV's side out % was .737 to SM's .300. KV won the 3+ run game 7-0. So in the two matches I saw today KV won the 3+ run game 16-0. That is a strong performance. The score was 17-13 in game two when KV finished up with four straight.
MATCH SIX
Another quarterfinal match, and, as it turned out, the last match of the day featured #4 Yer Chang of Central vs #5 Stephanie King of Harding. This match had a little of everything from nail biters and twists and turns to blow outs back to nail biters.
In game one YC had a 20-12 lead when SK got the side out and then gained momentum with five more points to close to 20-18. SK hit a bird deep to give the first game to YC.
Game two definitely tipped the scales in favor of King. Game one featured 10 services per player. Game two only had four. King took total command of game two with a 9 point run to go up 11-1. King also had another monster run of 8 to finish the second game.
It all came down to game three. Chang had a 13-10 lead when a change of court was requested. When they switched the score lost points on each side. King gained strength after that. A three point run tied the game at 14. Chang led 16-15 (on my count) when King had a five point run to go up 20-16. On a fan service error the players thought it was tied up at 17. A smash should have ended the match. Instead they kept going. Yang got a clear and then two more points to make it 21-20 King. King got the side out on a clear and then added two more for a 21-18 (so they thought) win. I had King winning 24-20.

So tomorrow it will be Katie Vohnoutka vs Stephanie King in one semi and Khoua Xiong vs Mee Xiong.
In the doubles it is the suburban duo of Becca Wade and Larysa Eteneuer (Eden Prairie) vs Amy Linblad/Natalie Leiker (Burnsville). In the other bracket it is all Johnson with Goly Yang and Belick Pha vs teammates Kia Thao and Kou Nou Chang

The Athletes I saw today: #1. Katie Vohnoutka; #2. Yer Yang, Henry; #3 Madeline Hunsicker; #4 Khoua Xiong; #5 Cha Her; #6 Foua Khang; #7 Yer Yang, Como Park; #8 Shoua Moua; #9 Yer Chang; #10 Stephanie King

Next up: tomorrow with the finals

More Team State Tournament

2008-05-15T08:39:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 5.15.2008
badminton news & information

MORE TEAM TOURNAMENT
Here are the stories from the St. Paul Pioneer Press and StarTribune on St. Paul Harding's third straight badminton title.

Next up: later today with the first day of the individual state tournament.

State Tournament: Harding Three-Peat

2008-05-14T22:01:00.003-05:00

#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 doubles, 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. Xiong 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.

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.

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.

State Tournament Results

2008-05-14T09:27:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 5.14.2008
badminton news & information

STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS
TOP 4 MOVE ON

Yesterday the State tournament opened up. There were no surprises with the top seeded teams all advancing. I reported on the Central 4-3 win over Highland Park last night. Eden Prairie also had a 4-3 win over Como Park. Burnsville managed to get two wins over Harding. It was the first time Harding was scored on in the quarters since 2005.
Minneapolis teams finished 0-7. As a group they were 3-49 on the day. South had two wins, Edison one.
First Round
#1 Harding 7, Mpls. Roosevelt 0
#8 Burnsville 5, Mpls. South 2
#4 Central 7, Mpls. Henry 0
#5 Highland Park 7, Mpls. North 0
#3 Eden Prairie 7, Mpls. Southwest 0
#6 Como Park 5, Humboldt 2
#2 Johnson 7, Mpls. Washburn 0
#7 Arlington 6, Mpls. Edison 1
Quarterfinals
#1 Harding 5, Burnsville 2
#4 Central 4, Highland Park 3
#3 Eden Prairie 4, Como Park 3
#2 Johnson 6, Arlington 1

Next up: later today after the state tournament

State Quarters: Central Advances

2008-05-13T20:43:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 5.13.2008
badminton news & information

STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS
CENTRAL ADVANCES
St. Paul Central beat St. Paul Highland Park 4-3 in the rubber match between the two schools at Central this afternoon. Both reached the quarterfinal round with sweeps over Minneapolis Henry and Minneapolis North respectively.

First off I will recap the Central/Henry game. I will also have the box on the Highland/North game too. After that it is the quarterfinals.

CENTRAL minutemen 7, HENRY patriots 0
Central swept Henry. The closest contest came at first singles with a difference of 7 points separating Yer Chang from Yer Yang. The Central doubles locomotive steamrolled the Henry doubles. The Henry second doubles team of Lakresha Williams and Sheng Xiong were the only doubles pair to crack double digits in one game.

FIRST SINGLES
Yer Yang put up a struggle with Yer Chang, but in the end it was Chang walking off with the victory.
Yang led early in game one 4-0, and held a 9-4 lead at the largest. The key factor in game one was the side out performance. Chang was able to score on serves 4-8 and that propelled her to the lead 16-13. Meanwhile Chang prevented Yang from scoring on six of her last seven serves. Chang also had three runs of 3+ in game one, while Yang only had her run at the start. For some reason I had one more point for Chang 22-16.

Yang again had a great start in game two. She led 7-1 after her first serve. Chang rallied with her own run of six to cut the margin to 9-8. A pair of smashes helped get that run rolling. Yang maintained a slim lead until her 7th serve where she added four more points besides the side out to go up 19-13. She had her second ace in the run. Then things turned on a dime. Chang got the side out on a hitting error and never gave the bird back. She ended the match with a clear.

This match went 17+ minutes which is quite long for a two game match.
Yang played with more confidence and also cut way back on errors--especially serving errors that plagued her the past couple of weeks.

Photos: #1. Yer Yang aims high for a bird. #2. Yer Chang reaches for a drop shot. photos by kja.

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Yer Chang 9/17-.529; Yer Yang 7/18-.389
RUNS OF 3+:
Yer Chang 6; Yer Yang 3
POINTS:
Yer Chang 43
Winners 18: Drops 6, Soft Drive 5, Clears 4, Smashes 2, Drives 1
Yer Yang Errors 25: hitting 24 (Net 13, Wide 11); Serving 1 (Deep 1)
Yer Yang 35
Winners: 16: Drives 4, Soft Drives 4, Aces 3, Smashes 3, Drops 1, Clears 1
Yer Chang Errors 19: hitting 18 (Net 10, Wide 5, Drives 2, Fans 1); Serving 1 (wide 1)
Time: 17:23

SINGLES
1. Yer Chang (C) beat Yer Yang 21-16, 21-19
2. Kari Finseth (C) beat Nhia Yang 21-13, 21-13
3. Dawn Vang (C) beat Ma Pha 21-13, 21-7
4. Ka Yang (C) beat Gao Khoua Xiong 21-14, 21-16
DOUBLES
1. Doua Thao/Da Chang (C) beat Neng Vang/See Thao 21-7, 21-8
2. Malinda Xiong/Mai See Xiong (C) beat Lakresha Williams/Sheng Xiong 21-9, 21-13
3. Phoua Xiong/Mai Sia Yang (C) beat Shoua Yang/Tenisha Williams 21-8, 21-7

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Central 4-0 1.000
Games: Central 8-0 1.000
Points: Central 168-85 .664
decided by 10+: Central 1-0 1.000
decided by 3 or less: Central 1-0 1.000
DOUBLES
matches: Central 3-0 1.000
games: Central 6-0 1.000
points: Central 126-52 .709
decided by 10+: Central 5-0 1.000
decided by 3: none

HIGHLAND PARK scots 7, NORTH polars 0
Highland Park swept North 7-0. The North 2nd doubles team of Jaime Lee and Amanda Seline did take the first game for the only North game win of the day.
SINGLES
1. Khoua Xiong (HP) beat Among Vang 21-6, 21-5
2. Micha Everts (HP) beat Foua Khang 21-14, 21-8
3. Elena Kronmiller (HP) beat Pa Kou Pha 21-5, 21-11
4. Nhu Richards (HP) beat Mee Khang 21-14, 21-13
DOUBLES
1. Pa Kou Lor/Drew Thao (HP) beat Phoua Khang/Vang Khang 21-15, 21-19
2. Grace Moran/Alison Cole (HP) beat Jaime Lee/Amanda Seline 18-21, 21-13, 22-20
3. Seng Lee/Pa Ying Moua (HP) beat Xue Vang/See Lee 21-9, 21-11

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Highland Park 4-0 1.000
Games: Highland Park 8-0 1.000
Points: Highland Park 168-76 .689
decided by 10+: Highland Park 5-0
decided by 3 or less: none
DOUBLES
matches: Highland Park 3-0 1.000
games: Highland Park 6-1 .857
points: Highland Park 145-108 .573
decided by 10+: Highland Park 2-0 1.000
decided by 3: Highland Park 2-1 .667

CENTRAL minutemen 4, HIGHLAND PARK scots 3

Central won the rubber match with Highland by splitting the singles and taking the top two doubles. The deciding game came down to fourth singles as all other matches were finished. Game two went long with Nhu Richards rallying for a 26-24 win. Ka Yang led 24-23 before the Richards started her run. In game three it was tied at 7 all when Yang ran off 7 straight to go up 14-7. That was the difference maker in the game and the match.

photo: Ka Yang reaches for a bird in the deciding game at 4th singles. photo by kja

FIRST SINGLES
This was a contrast of games---game one tight, game two not at all. Through it all one constant remained--Khoua Xiong had a strong side out game in both games.
In the first game the side out game ruled for the first five points. Yer Chang was the first to break free with a run of four. She scored on her serve with a clear then used a soft drive (what would be a change up in baseball). Khoua Xiong matched her run with three. Chang led throughout most of the first game. She stretched the margin to 16-12 after a smash. Xiong got a smash for a key side out. Xiong then was able to score off her serve the next three times. At the same time Xiong got the side out over Chang the last three times. The game was tied 19 all when Chang had a fan/hitting error on her serve. Xiong ended it all with a clear.

Xiong ran off a 9-2 lead and got the side out on Chang's serve four straight times. On Xiong's fifth serve she ran off 8 more points to go on the verge 20-4. A late three point flurry kept the game going. The game ended on an anti-climatic note as Chang's serve sailed wide.

Xiong had another strong winner performance with .619. The soft drive/change up/cut shot is her signature shot and she used it for 9 points.

Photos: #1 Khoua Xiong looks like she is in a box as she sends a bird over the net. #2 eyes the bird in game two. photos by kja

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Khoua Xiong 12/17-.706, Yer Chang 7/18-.389
RUNS OF 3+:
Khoua Xiong 5, Yer Chang 3
POINTS:
Khoua Xiong 42
Winners: 26: Soft drives 9, Smashes 5, Drops 5, Aces 3, Clears 3, Drives 1
Yer Chang Errors 16: hitting 14 (Net 8, Wide 6); Serving 2 (deep 1, wide 1)
Yer Chang 26
Winners 15: Soft Drives 5, Clears 3, Smashes 3, Drives 2, Drops 2
Khoua Xiong Errors 11: hitting 10 (Net 7, Wide 3); Serving 1 (Deep 1)
Time: 12:28

QUARTERFINALS
SINGLES
1. Khoua Xiong (HP) beat Yer Chang 21-19, 21-7
2. Kari Finseth (C) beat Micha Everts 21-14, 21-13
3. Elena Kronmiller (HP) beat Dawn Vang 21-11, 21-9
4. Ka Yang (C) beat Nhu Richards 21-12, 24-26, 21-13
DOUBLES
1. Doua Thao/Da Chang (C) beat Pa Kou Lor/Drew Thao 21-13, 21-13
2. Malinda Xiong/Mai See Xiong (C) beat Grace Moran/Alison Cole 19-21, 21-16, 21-12
3. Seng Lee/Pa Ying Moua (HP) beat Phoua Xiong/Mai Sia Yang 18-21, 21-17, 21-17

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: tied 2-2 .500
Games: Highland Park 5-4 .556
Points: Highland Park 162-154 .513
decided by 10+: Highland Park 3-0 1.000
decided by 3 or less: Highland Park 2-0 1.000
DOUBLES
matches: Central 2-1 .667
games: Central 5-3 .625
points: Central 158-136 .537
decided by 10+: none
decided by 3-: 1-1

next up: tomorrow with the State Team finals.

Sweet 16 Indviduals

2008-05-12T08:42:00.002-05:00

#1 posting 5.12.2008
badminton news & information

THIS WEEK
This is the final week of the year with the team tournament held Tuesday and Wednesday, and the individual titles on Thursday and Friday.

TEAM
The first round and quarterfinals will be held at the high seeds on Tuesday starting at 4 pm. The four seeds hosting: #1 St. Paul Harding, #2 St. Paul Johnson, #3 Eden Prairie, #4 St. Paul Central.
Everything moves to Burnsville on Wednesday for the semis and finals

INDIVIDUAL
The individual first round action starts Thursday at St. Paul Harding. After Thursday the final four move to the finals on Friday.

Here are my unofficial rankings of singles players. I only rate the players I have seen during the years.
1. Katie Vohnoutka, Eden Prairie
2. Khoua Xiong, St. Paul Highland Park
3. Mee Xiong, St. Paul Harding
4. Goly Yang, St. Paul Johnson
5. Yer Chang, St. Paul Central
6. Stephanie King, St. Paul Harding
7. Chue Mai Thao, Mpls Edison
8. Yer Yang, St. Paul Como Park
9. Ciera Hogenson, Burnsville
10. Pang Thao, St. Paul Johnson
11. Der Xiong, St. Paul Como Park
12. Pa Hnia Xiong, Mpls Edison
13. Dani Sack, Mpls Washburn
14. Desirae Garcia, Mpls South
15. Crystal Yang, St. Paul Harding
16. Elena Kronmiller, St. Paul Highland Park

Next up: tomorrow

State Seeds

2008-05-09T08:45:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 5.9.2008
badminton news & information

STATE TOURNAMENT
Next week the team and individual state tournaments take place.
Here are the sites and matches for Tuesday. Matches should start around 4 pm.
The top four seeds will host Tuesday with action shifting to Burnsville on Wednesday
At St. Paul Harding
#1 Harding vs. #16 Roosevelt
#8 Burnsville vs. #9 South
At St. Paul Central
#4 Central vs #13 Henry
#5 Highland Park vs #12 North
at Eden Prairie
#3 Eden Prairie vs #14 Southwest
#6 Como Park vs #11 Humboldt
at Johnson
#2 Johnson vs #15 Washburn
#7 Arlington vs #10 Edison
The two winning teams will play the quarterfinals on Tuesday right after the first round.
The final four teams move on to Burnsville Wednesday.

Individuals take place on Thursday and Friday at Harding

ATHENA WINNER
Chue Mai Thao of Minneapolis Edison is the only badminton player to be honored today in the Minneapolis area Athena banquet.

Next up: Probably Monday with a look at the state tournament

St. Paul Champs: Khoua Xiong, Thao/Chang

2008-05-08T19:26:00.002-05:00

#1 posting 5.8.2008
badminton news & information

ST. PAUL CHAMPIONS
KHOUA XIONG-SINGLES
DOUA THAO/DA CHANG-DOUBLES
The St. Paul City conference wrapped up their tournament today with #1 Khoua Xiong of Highland Park winning the singles and the St. Paul duo of Doua Thao and Da Chang taking the doubles titles. It was a battle of Xiongs for the singles title as Khoua Xiong beat Mee Xiong for the third time this year. The Central pair beat two Central doubles teams for the title.
Luckily I was able to make it just in time despite congestion on 694 due to construction in Fridley and also in the unweave the weave site.

SINGLES
SEMIFINALS: MEE XIONG vs GOLY YANG
#1 Khoua Xiong beat #4 Yer Chang of Central in the semis 21-14 and 21-10. I watched the other semifinal battle between #2 Mee Xiong of Harding and #3 Goly Yang of Johnson. Xiong started off the first game with three straight points and had a 10-2 lead after finishing her second service. Yang had one run good for three points to cut the margin to 12-6. The side out game was working for Xiong after that as she finished up with 3/4 side outs. Xiong also used the clear for two of her last four points.

Game two lasted linger and had a different flavor. Xiong led 3-0 early, but never had the 7 point run she had in game one. Goly Yang scraped and battled using the clear for four points, three on consecutive side outs. On Yang's sixth serve she had her own 7 point run to go up 14-9. Xiong had a rare four straight error string. Yang got her last point via the clear. Xiong got the side out with a soft drive and added four more to tie the game at 14. Yang added two more points to lead 16-14. With a deep hitting error Yang gave the bird up and didn't get another serve in the rest of the game. Xiong served out with six straight points, two of which were clears.

The key difference Xiong had a +13 advantage on hitting errors.

photo: Goly Yang moves away from the net to make a back hand shot. photo by kja

SEMIFINALS SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Xiong 8/14-.571; Yang 6/15-.400
RUNS OF 3+:
Xiong 6, Yang 2
POINTS:
Xiong 42
Winners 17: Clears 5, Smashes 3, Drops 3, Drive 3, Soft Drives 3
Yang Errors 25: hitting 24 (Wide 12, Net 6, Fan 4, Deep 2), serving 1 (short 1)
Yang 27
Winners: 15: Smashes 6, Clears 6, Soft Drives 2, Aces 1
Xiong Errors 12: hitting 12 (Wide 6, Fans 3, Net 3)
Time: 14:35

CHAMPIONSHIP: KHOUA XIONG vs MEE XIONG
In the battle of the Xiongs it was Khoua over Mee in two games. Khoua used her soft drive cut shot to great effect. In fact she used it 17 times for points in the two games, which is one more than the winners for Mee Xiong in total. Khoua overall had 35 points on winners and only 7 points given too her. Khoua's winner advantage was 19 points. Mee had a +12 advantage on error points.

Khoua started off in the lead in game one with two straight soft drive shots. Mee tied it at 3 and 4. Khoua had two runs of three sandwiched around a hitting error to go up 10-5. Khoua pushed the lead out to 15-9. Mee used a clear to get the bird back and added three more points on her serve to close to 15-13. Khoua got a key side out on her soft drive cut and added two more to go up 19-14. A missed serve gave the bird back. Khoua sided out at 70% in game one and used her patented soft drive cut to get the bird again. Once again, for the 9th time in game one, the soft cut made the difference.

Game two lasted longer again. The total serves of each player went to 13 and 12. Again Khoua took the early lead at 3-0 with two of the points coming via the soft drive. Six straight side outs later it was 6-3. Mee had a four point run to tie it up at 8. The game was tied again at 11. At some point around this stage of the game the count was off for Mee by -1. So when the score was stated 13-11 it really was 13-12. So from here on out I will state what the players considered to be the real score. Mee closed to 14-13. Two of the Khoua soft drives put her up 16-13. Mee had a three point run to tie the game at 17. All were hitting errors in the net from Khoua, the last on a smash attempt. Mee led 19-18 when Khoua got a clear for a side out. She smashed for point #20 and dropped for point #21 and the city championship.

Runs were few and far between in game two. The side out game was Khoua .583; and Mee .538 in the second game. In the third place contest Goly Yang beat Yer Chang.

photos: Khoua sends the ball back to Mee in game two. on the left St. Paul City Singles champ Khoua Xiong and her Highland Park coach Bobbi Fitzenberger. on the right Singles runner up Mee Xiong and her Harding coach Tracy Hrouda. photos by kja

CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Khoua Xiong 14/22-.636; Mee Xiong 11/24-.458
RUNS OF 3+:
Khoua Xiong 5, Mee Xiong 3
POINTS:
Khoua Xiong 42
Winners 35: Soft Drives 17, Smashes 8, Drops 5, Clears 3, Ace 1, Drive 1
Mee Xiong Errors 7: hitting 6 (Net 3, Wide 2, Deep 1), serving 1 (deep 1)
Mee Xiong 35
Winners: 16: Drops 7, Drives 3, Clears 2, Smashes 2, Soft Drives 2
Khoua Xiong Errors 19: hitting 17 (Net 11, Wide 5, Deep 1); Serving 2 (wide 2)
Time: 14:35

DOUBLES
You could say it was a D squared Double championship with the Central pair Doua Thao and Da Chang beating teammates for the title. It was all Central all the time.

SEMIFINALS
Doua Thao/Da Chang, Central beat Malinda Xiong/Mai See Xiong, Central 21-18, 21-13
Phoua Xiong/Mai Sia Yang, Central beat PH/K, Arlington 21-15, 18-21, 21-15
CHAMPIONSHIP
Doua Thao/Da Chang, Central beat Phoua Xiong/Mai Sia Yang, Central 21-15, 18-21, 21-15

All the matches were going on simultaneously so I wasn't able to watch the doubles final until game three. D&D led early at 2-0. A three point run by P&MS put them in front 3-2. There were four ties up to seven. A D&D run of three put them in front 10-7. Another run of three made it 13-9. P&MS cut the margin to 13-12. It stayed a one point game until D&D ran off five points to lead 20-14. Two more P&MS points cut the lead to 20-16. A smash ended the day.
One of the key difference in this game was the side out %. D&D was at 50%; P&MS checked in with 33%. Also D&D had 10 winners in this game compared to 6 for P&SY.

A further note--Central had three doubles teams in action today plus two singles players for eight total players, the most of any school today. Host Arlington furnished a doubles team, Highland Park had two players in singles competition; Harding and Johnson each had one singles player.

Photos: #1 Phoua Xiong and Mai Sia Yang in the championship decisive third game. Doua Thao and Da Chang ready to serve in the third game. Central coach Brian Reinhardt and two of the Central doubles teams, second place finishers Phoua Xiong and Mai Sia Yang on the left and Doua Thao and Da Chang on the right. photos by kja

next up: tomorrow with the state seeds

St. Paul Final Four Set

2008-05-07T20:47:00.004-05:00

#1 posting 5.7.2008
badminton news & information

ST. PAUL CITY FINAL FOUR SET
Top 4 Seeds Advance in Singles
Grand Central in Doubles
Today it was the east side of the river's turn to hold their conference tournament. St. Paul holds their event for two days and there are a few differences with Minneapolis.
1. All singles and doubles teams from each school participate.
2. There is play back, not one and done as in Minneapolis
3. There were almost triple the space available at Arlington for matches.

The big news was in the singles the top four seeds advanced. #1 seed Khoua Xiong of Highland Park received a scare in the quarters from Stephanie King of Harding. Xiong needed three games to advance. She took game one 21-10, lost the next set 21-15, before bouncing back to take game three 21-17
#4 Yer Chang of Central also went three games in her match with Der Xiong of Como Park.
#2 Mee Xiong of Harding beat Crystal Yang of Harding 21-12 and 21-4.
A pair of Johnson players faced each other in the other lower bracket quarterfinal with #3 Goly Yang upending Pang Thao 21-19, 21-13.

In the doubles division all three Central teams advanced to the final four. Joining them will be Arlington pair of Pa Hnia Yang and Kia Her. Oddly enough Co City champs Johnson and Harding failed to land a doubles team in the final four.

SINGLES RESULTS
FIRST ROUND
Olamade Fudahunsi, Johnson beat Kari Finseth, Central 21-11, 21-12
Stephanie King, Harding beat Nhu Richards, Highland Park 21-16, 21-3
Belick Pha, Johnson beat Shoua Moua, Humboldt 21-12, 21-14
Elena Kronmiller, Highland Park beat Dawn Vang, Central 21-8, 21-17
Der Xiong, Como Park beat Cha Her, Arlington 29-27, 21-12
Shide Vang, Humboldt beat KY, Central 21-14, 13-21, 21-17
Yer Yang, Como Park beat Micha Everts, Highland Park 21-10, 21-7
Crystal Yang, Harding beat LL, Arlington 21-17, 21-13
Nou Fang, Como Park beat MDY, Humboldt 21-15, 21-17
Ka Neng Vue, Como Park beat Tina Yang, Arlington 21-17, 21-18
Pang Thao, Johnson beat Novia Josiah, Arlington 23-21, 21-15
Alana Yang, Harding beat SV, Humboldt 21-14, 21-13
SWEET 16
Khoua Xiong, Highland Park beat Olamade Fudahunsi, Johnson 21-10, 21-12
Stephanie King, Harding beat Belick Pha, Johnson 21-10, 21-13
Yer Chang, Central beat Elena Kronmiller, Highland Park 21-19, 16-21, 21-11
Der Xiong, Como Park beat Shide Vang, Humboldt 21-17, 22-20
Mee Xiong, Harding beat Yer Yang, Como Park 21-11, 21-19
Crystal Yang, Harding beat Nou Fang, Como Park 21-10, 21-11
Goly Yang, Johnson beat Ka Neng Vue, Como Park 21-6, 24-22
Pang Thao, Johnson beat Alana Yang, Harding 21-17, 21-19
QUARTERFINALS
Khoua Xiong, Highland Park beat Stephanie King, Harding 21-10, 15-21, 21-17
Yer Chang, Central beat Der Xiong, Como Park 21-19, 16-21, 21-8
Mee Xiong, Harding beat Crystal Yang, Harding 21-12, 21-4
Goly Yang, Johnson beat Pang Thao, Johnson 21-19, 21-13

Doubles featured pool play and they had a point system where the winners advanced. I don't have those results, but the here are the quarterfinals:
DOUBLES QUARTERFINALS
Doua Thao/Da Chang, Central beat Sheng Thao/PC, Johnson 21-11, 21-12
Malinda Xiong/Mai See Xiong, Central beat D/M, Humboldt 21-18, 21-11
Phoua Xiong/Mai Sia Yang, Central beat Kia Thao/Kou Nou Chang, Johnson 21-19, 14-21, 24-22
PH/K, Arlington beat MC/N, Humboldt 21-18, 15-21, 21-17

WHAT I SAW
I saw four full singles matches plus the last two games of the Khoua Xiong/Stephanie King match.
#1 KRONMILLER/VANG (FIRST ROUND)
In the first contest Elena Kronmiller of Highland Park beat Dawn Vang of Central 21-8, 21-17. Kronmiller jumped out to a commanding 12-1 lead. It was hard to come back from such a big hole. The odd fact in game one: Vang sided out at 62.5% (5/8). Kronmiller was even higher at 87.5%.

Game two was a bit more contested with no huge runs. Vang led at 7-6 and held the one point advantage up to 13-12. Kronmiller didn't take the lead for good until she reached 16-14. After that Kronmiller forced Vang to side out her last four serves. Meanwhile Kronmiller squeezed points off her last six serves.

Photo: Kronmiller reaches for a shot. photo by kja

#2 FUDAHUNSI/FINSETH (FIRST ROUND)
Fudahunsi of Johnson started the first game with five straight points and led 9-1. Finseth battled back to 14-9, but another run by Fudahunsi made it 18-9.

In game two Fudahunsi started out with a 3-0 lead. Finseth closed to 7-6. Fudahunsi used a three point run to go up 10-6. She stretched that lead out to 14-8. Finseth staged a comebacl to cut the margin to 15-12. A hitting error gave the bird back to Fudahunsi and she didn't share the rest of the game scoring five more points for the win. This contest lasted 16 minutes (7:22 for game one and 8:33 for game two).

photo: Finseth sends the bird back to Fudahunsi. photo by kja

#3 THAO/YANG (SWEET 16)
Pang Thao took the early advantage at 3-0. Alana Yang managed to tie it at 5. Thao reasserted herselft at 10-6 with another run of three. Thao continued to build on that lead to 19-13. But her fifth service error in this game gave the bird back. Yang used it for a three point run to close to 20-18. Thao ended round one with a drive.

Just as in the first game Thao led early, this time 4-0. Yang battled back and led at 9-8. Neither got any traction with four ties after that, the last coming at 14 all. Thao used a soft drive to start a three point run and she was back in the saddle. Now my cout had Thao winning at 21-16, but the pair kept playing. They finally stopped at 22-18.

photo: Pang Thao on the far court reaches to her right. photo by kja

#4 YANG/THAO (QUARTERFINALS)
This was a civil war game with both #3 seed Goly Yang and Pang Thao Johnson Governors. Both have held the first position at Johnson this year. Thao has a knee injury which she aggravated in the Alana Yang Sweet 16 round. Her mobility isn't what it has been and Goly Yang was aggressive in bird placement.

Yang had an early three point run to lead 4-2. Thao surged back in front with a 4-1 run to lead 9-7. Thao maintained that two point lead until Yang added another three point run to lead 12-11. That was the start of a 7-2 run. Thao wasn't done quite yet and had a run of three to tie it up at 18. Yang closed out the win with three Thao hitting errors broken up by a drop shot.

Yang surged ahead in game two 5-2 after a run of six and then added another four point run to lead 10-4. Thao, like in game one, battled back to trail 11-9 after a four point run. This game featured six runs alone. Side outs were rare. And sometimes the server helped cut their own throat with service errors. Yang missed four serves in game two, while Thao cleaned up that part of her game. Yang was on the verge at 19-10 when she missed her 4th serve short. That started a four point run for Thao. A Yang drive got the bird back and she closed out the match on the next serve 21-14.

Photo: Goly Yang about to drop shot to Pang Thao's left. phot by kja

#5 XIONG/KING QUARTERFINALS
I picked up on this game after game one was through. Khoua Xiong took that contest 21-10. In game two Stephanie King came out with three straight points and a 7-1 run to take command. King limited Xiong's run opportunities to only one three point run. That closed the margin to 13-12, but Xiong served deep on the next serve to give the bird back. Earlier the count was thrown off by two for Xiong so the final score which officially ended up to be 15 was actually 17. I don't know how they messed up, but it didn't factor into the outcome. To contrast this first game with the last Yang/Thao match this game Khoua Xiong served 13 times. Goly Yang served 7 times, so you can see their was more siding out, and less offensive runs in this game. King provided a drop for the deciding 21st point and forcing a third game.

Xiong was the one to establish her game early with a three point run. Later she added another three point run to lead 9-4. King turned the tables with a run of five of her own including a smash. This tied the score at 9. Xiong had two smashes in a three point run to retake the lead 12-9. The game then turned into a cat and mouse game with King knotting it up at 12, and then taking the lead at 15-14 on a handcuff drive. On the next bird Xiong made a save and King hit the bird in the net to tie it and get the side out back to Xiong. That was the beginning of a 7-2 run to finish the contest. Xiong used a smash to finish the last singles game 21-17.

Photo: is it in or out? it is in and Khoua Xiong on the next blurry photo makes contact with a backhand. (blurry photo not included). photo by kja

Next up: tomorrow's results

Two Champs for Edison

2008-05-06T20:57:00.009-05:00

#1 posting 5.6.2008
badminton news & information

EDISON DOUBLES UP CITY TITLES
Minneapolis Edison took both the Minneapolis city singles and doubles titles . Chu Mai Thao, the number one seed in the event beat her teammate Pa Nhia Xiong for the title. In the doubles event it was the Edison's Xiong sisters Xia and Kabao beating Martha Streng and Alba Bilani of Southwest.
The odd thing about the events today only one singles match went three games. Washburn's Dani Sack outlasted Desirae Garcia of South.
In the doubles there were two matches that went the distance, both in the first round.

Photos: #1 junior Pa Nhia Xiong, Edison #2 and second place finisher in the City tournament with senior teammate Chu Mai Thao, Edison #1 and City Champ 2008. #2 2008 city Doubles champs Edison's #1 team junior Xia Xiong and senior sister Kabao Xiong. photos by kja

Normally I breakdown each and every game I see. Today I will digest the championships and give a thumbnail of the other events.

First off the breakdown of matches
SINGLES
FIRST ROUND
Madeline Hunsicker, Southwest#1 beat North#2 21-17, 21-15
Dani Sack, Washburn#1 beat Yer Yang, Henry#1 21-9, 21-10
Brett Smith, South#2 beat Roosevelt's#2 21-10, 21-19
Pa Nhia Xiong, Edison#2 beat Hnia Yang, Henry#2 21-11, 21-14
North#1 beat Roosevelt#1 21-8, 21-8
Southwest#2 beat Washburn#2 21-15, 21-6
QUARTERFINALS
Chu Mai Thao, Edison#1 beat Madeline Hunsicker, Southwest#1 21-4, 21-12
Dani Sack, Washburn#1 beat Brett Smith, South#2 21-7, 21-15
Pa Nhia Xiong, Edison#2 beat North#1 21-15, 21-14
Desirae Garcia, South #1 beat Southwest#2 21-9, 21-7
SEMIFINALS
Chu Mai Thao, Edison#1 beat Dani Sack, Washburn#1 21-9, 21-9
Pa Nhia Xiong, Edison#2 beat Desirae Garcia, South#1 21-11, 21-14
THIRD PLACE
Dani Sack, Washburn#1 beat Desirae Garcia, South#1 (three games W-S-W)
CHAMPIONSHIP
Chu Mai Thao, Edison#1 beat Pa Nhia Xiong, Edison#2 21-16, 21-13

DOUBLES
FIRST ROUND
Washburn#1 beat Southwest#2 21-19, 21-12
North#2 beat Roosevelt#1 21-12, 21-10
Xia Xiong/Kabao Xiong, Edison#1 beat Henry#2 19-21, 21-17. 21-9
Martha Streng/Alba Bilani, Southwest#1 beat South#2 21-13, 21-19
Washburn#2 beat Roosevelt#2 21-19, 20-22, 21-15
Edison#2 beat Henry#1 21-16, 21-11
QUARTERFINALS
South#1 beat Washburn#1 21-6, 21-14
Xia Xiong/Kabao Xiong, Edison#1 beat North#2 21-13, 21-11
Martha Streng/Alba Bilani, Southwest#1 beat Washburn#2 21-18, 21-5
North#1 beat Edison#2 21-17, 21-4
SEMIFINALS
Xia Xiong/Kabao Xiong, Edison#1 beat South#1 21-19, 21-17
Martha Streng/Alba Bilani, Southwest#1 beat North#1 21-15, 21-15
THIRD PLACE
South#1 beat North#1 21-19, 21-13
CHAMPIONSHIP
Xia Xiong/Kabao Xiong, Edison#1 beat Martha Streng/Alba Bilani, Southwest#1 21-11, 21-17

SINGLES
OPENING ROUND
I opened watching the two #1s facing each other in the opening round of the singles: Dani Sack of Washburn jumped out to a 6-0 lead over Henry's Yer Yang and pushed it out to an 11-1 lead. Those two big runs put Yang in the hole and Sack finished up with a 22-8 win.
Game two started a bit tighter, but Sack had two runs of four and three on a 7-1 burst to go up 10-4. Another 7 point run put the game out of reach at 19-6. Yang had a three point run, but it was a matter of too little too late. Sack won 21-10.
Last year Yang was part of the city doubles championship for Henry
QUARTERFINALS #1
Chu Mai Thao had a bye in the first round and faced Madeline Hunsicker of Southwest. The first game opened with five straight side outs. Thao burst open the game with a run of six followed by a four followed by the final push of nine. Thao sided out five straight times against Hunsicker.

Game two was tighter. Hunsicker led 6-4 and held Thao's runs down to a minimum. Still Thao had runs of 3, 4 and 3. In fact for the series Thao had a 6-0 advantage in runs of 3+.

QUARTERFINALS #2
Dani Sack used a 11 point run in the first game to accelerate past South's Brett Smith. Sack rushed the net for five punch/dunks. Sack had Smith covering the entire court. Sack won 21-7
In game two Sack opened with a 9-2 run. Smith rallied with her own run of seven points to tie the game at 13. It was the side out game that put Sack over the top. Sack was 7/12 at .583 while Smith was 4/14 for .286. Sack finished with two consecutive four point runs in the 21-15 win.

SEMIFINALS
The side out game that worked well for Dani Sack in the quarterfinals disappeared in the semis. Sack was 4/15 in this game for .267. Chu Mai Thao held a 10/13 side out advantage good for .769. In game one Thao used a 7 point run to finish the game in a 21-9 win.
In game two Thao opened with five straight points. She added two more runs of five in the second game. Tabulating the total runs Thao had the advantage 5-2. Thao ended the second game with a smash, her fourth in that game and fifth for the series.

CHAMPIONSHIP
In an all Edison battle it was Chu Mai Thao over her teammate Pa Nhia Xiong. I had different scores that were given 21-15, and 20-13. With both familiar with each other's game their was a intensity not seen in the other games. Xiong had a four point run to go up 7-5. Thao didn't break free until a 8 point run to go up 16-9. Thao had two aces in that mix. Thao sided out at .600 (6/10) while Xiong checked in at .444 (4/9). Runs were few and far between with one each, but Thao had the huge 8 point run to propell her to victory.

In game two Thao held steady in the side out game at .667 (6/9) while Xiong was .400 (4/10). Xiong led early at 4-3. Thao didn't break free until she came up with a six point run to go up 17-10. The match ended on a Xiong hit that went wide.

CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Thao 12/19-.632; Xiong 8/19-.421
RUNS OF 3+:
Thao 1, Xiong 1
POINTS:
Thao 41
Winners 20: Drops 6, Aces 5, Clears 4, Soft Drives 3, Smashes 2
Xiong Errors 21: hitting 19 (Net 12, Wide 3, Deep 2, Fan 2), serving 2 (Deep 2)
Xiong 28
Winners: 16: Drives 8, Soft Drives 3, Smashes 2, Drops 2, Clears 1
Thao Errors 12: hitting 8 (Deep 4, Net 3, Wide 1); Serving 4 (Wide 2, Deep 2)
Time: 12:27

Photos: #1 The Minneapolis city champ Chu Mai Thao, #2: Pa Nhia Xiong goes so high her racket isn't in the shot. #3. The celebration between the two teammates after the match. photos by kja

DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP
It was Edison's duo of Xia and Kabao Xiong winning the first game 21-11, and then rallying in game two for the championship. The Tommie pair had an advantage in the side out game and in the run department. The Xiongs had a side out % of .611 (11/18) to 5/19 (.263) and a 6-2 run advantage.

The Edison pair started off with a 2-0 advantage on their serve and built it up to 7-2 after a three point run. They pushed the lead out to a 14-7 advantage with another run of three. But it was the six point run that put them on the verge at 20-9. The Laker tandem scored two more points before Edison got the win at 21-11.

Martha Streng and Alba Bilani bounced back to take a 6-2 lead in game two. The SW pair had a four point run to get the lead. It was the side out advantage that kept SW from extending that lead. Edison got the side out in four of the next five SW serves. The Xiongs had a run of three to take their first lead at 13-12 since the opening point. Streng and Bilani regained the lead with three more points to go in front 15-13. Southwest's last lead came at 16-15 after Edison tied it up. The key at the end: Edison got two straight side outs, and SW didn't. Edison finished with a 6-1 to win the title 21-17.

photos: #1 Edison's #1 double team of Xia Xiong and Kabao Xiong city 2008 champs. #2. Southwest's Alba Bilani and Martha Streng. photos by kja

CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Edison 11/18-.611; Southwest 5/19 -.263
RUNS OF 3+:
Edison 6, Southwest 2
POINTS:
Edison 42
Winners 21: Drives 9, Smashes 6, Soft Drives 3, Clears 3
Southwest Errors 21: hitting 20 (Net 12, Wide 4, Fan 3, Deep 1), serving 1 (short)
Southwest 28
Winners 11: Drives 5, Clears 3, Soft Drives 2, Aces 1
Edison Errors 17: hitting 15 (Net 7, Wide 6, Fan 1, Drives 1); Serving 2 (net 2)
Time: 13:07

Next up: tomorrow

Out & About: Harding Triangular

2008-05-05T19:10:00.009-05:00

#1 posting 5.5.2008
badminton news & information

HARDING TRIANGULAR
Today the St. Paul Co Champ St. Paul Harding hosted Burnsville and the Minneapolis Co Champ Edison in a triangular. There were some line up maneuverings for Harding in the first match up with Burnsville, but the Knights were at full strength vs their west river rivals. Harding edged Burnsville 4-3, and then swept Edison 7-0.

ST. PAUL HARDING knights 4, BURNSVILLE blaze 3

Harding and Burnsville both had line up changes. Harding moved Stephanie King and Alana Yang up and added Mai Chua Vang and Tiffany Yang at the 3rd and 4th singles. Both usually are on the JV. Burnsville also had new 3rd and 4th singles. Due to a science event next week the 2nd and 3rd singles for the Blaze are done for the year. Also Third doubles for the Blaze changed with Laura Farhart and Molly Jones taking over. Two of the three new Blaze combinations won their events. The tightest match took place at 3rd doubles with Harding prevailing by six points.

FIRST SINGLES
Stephanie King didn't miss a beat moving up from second singles to first with a 21-13, 21-6 win. Ciara Hogenson started off in the lead with two straight points. But the tale of this contest was in the side out %. King in both games checked in with a .800 %. King had a five point run to go up 15-10. Hogenson did close to 17-13. King got the side out and then finished up with three more points with an exclamation point smash to finish.

Hogenson did not score on any serve in game two. King had 8 straight points to go up 10-2 with two aces in the mix. The game was over fairly quickly with King getting two more runs.

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
King 12/15 .800; Hogenson 5/16-.313
RUNS OF 3+:
King 6, Hogenson 1
POINTS:
King 42
Winners 22: Soft Drives 7, Aces 4, Smashes 4, Drives 2, Clears 2, Drops 2
Hogenson Errors 20: hitting 17 (Net 10, Wide 6, Fan 1), serving 3 (Net 2, Deep 1)
Hogenson 19
Winners: 8: Soft Drives 2, Drives 2, Drops 2, Aces 1, Clears 1
King Errors 11: hitting 10 (Wide 5, Net 4, Deep 1); Serving 1 (net)
Time: 11:55

SINGLES
1. Stephanie King (H) beat Ciara Hogenson 21-13, 21-6
2. Alana Yang (H) beat Bea Soderholm 21-11, 21-14
3. Emily Zhang (B) beat Mai Chua Vang 21-13, 21-12
4. Crystal Collins (B) beat Tiffany Yang 21-9, 21-15
DOUBLES
1. Mai Ngia Xiong/Mor Xiong (H) beat Amy Linblad/Natalie Leiker 21-8, 21-13
2. Lisa Dennnis/Soogin Moon (B) beat Chao Xiong/Chao Xiong/Pa Nhia Vang 23-21, 22-20
3. Gao Thao/Pa Nyia Thao (H) beat Laura Farhart/Molly Jones 21-19, 21-17

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 2-2 .500
Games: Harding 4-4 .500
Points: Harding 133-128 .510
decided by 10+: Harding 2-1 .667
decided by 3-: 0-0
DOUBLES
matches: Harding 2-1 .667
games: Harding 4-2 .667
points: Harding 125-102 .551
decided by 10+: Harding 1-0
decided by 3-: Burnsville 2-1 .667

BURNSVILLE blaze 5, MINNEAPOLIS EDISON tommies 2

Edison took the first two singles spots, but Burnsville took the rest in a 5-2 win. The Edison wins were narrow ones at that. Three of the four games were decided by two points. Emily Zhang and Crystal Collins took their second wins of the day. Zhang needed three games and rallied from 1-0 down. Collins held Candy Camora to single digits both games. Burnsville swept the doubles with only the first game at first doubles going long at 26-24.

FIRST SINGLES
Mai Chu Thao edged Ciara Hogenson in a pair of down to the wire games. Thao had the early advantage at 5-3. Hogenson battled back to go up 9-7 with a five point run. Thao had her own three point run to reclaim the lead including a handcuff drive. The problem was Hogenson couldn't get the side out when Thao serve. Thao gained at least one point on her serve 8 straight times. Thao led 19-16 and then the game shifted to side out mode. Both players traded fans for side outs. Thao took game one 21-18.

Hogenson took the early lead in game one with a run of three. Thao tied it up at six. Hogenson pushed out to 10-6 with a pair of drives on a four point run. Thao closed to 12-11, but Hogenson answered with another three point run to lead 15-11. Thao had a five point run, her first extended run in this game to take a 17-16 lead. Hogenson had the +1 advantage four times, the last coming at 21-20. Thao was able to get three straight side outs to hold off defeat. She tied it at 21 on a smash. She then held her serve and finished the game off with a soft drive 23-21.

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS: Thao 16/24-.667; Hogenson 11/25 -.440
RUNS OF 3+: Thao 4, Hogenson 4
POINTS:
Thao 44
Winners 22: Clears 9, Smashes 6, Soft Drives 3, Drives 2, Aces 2
Hogenson Errors 22: hitting 20 (Net 13, Fan 3, wide 3, Deep 1), serving 2 (Deep 1, Wide 1)
Hogenson 39
Winners: 12: Soft Drives 4, Drives 3, Aces 2, Clears 2, Smashes 1
Thao Errors 27: hitting 22 (Net 9, Deep 7, Fan 3, Wide 3); Serving 5 (Deep 3, Wide 1, Net 1)
Time: 16:04

SINGLES
1. Mai Chu Thao (E) beat Ciara Hogenson 21-19, 23-21
2. Pa Nha Xiong (E) beat Bea Soderholm 22-20, 21-16
3. Emily Zhang (B) beat Ly Vang 18-21, 21-17, 21-13
4. Crystal Collins (B) beat Candy Camora 21-9, 21-7
DOUBLES
1. Amy Linblad/Natalie Leiker (B) beat Xia Xiong/Ka Bao Xiong 26-24, 21-14
2. Lisa Dennnis/Soogin Moon (B) beat Kia Vue/Karrie Le 21-9, 21-5
3. Laura Farhart/Molly Jones (B) beat Yer Vue/Brenda Vue 21-15, 21-10

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Burnsville 2-2 .500
Games: Edison 5-4 .556
Points: Burnsville 178-154 .536
decided by 10+: Burnsville 2-0 1.000
decided by 3-: Edison 4-0 1.000
DOUBLES
matches: Burnsville 3-0 1.000
games: Burnsville 6-0 1.000
points: Burnsville 131-77 .629
decided by 10+: Burnsville 3-0 1.000
decided by 3-: Burnsville 1-0 1.000

ST. PAUL HARDING knights 7, MINNEAPOLIS EDISON tommies 0

Harding swept Edison 7-0 and also swept them 14-10. The closest Edison came to getting a game was the second game at third singles when Ly Vang fell short 21-19. Six of the games Edison didn't get out of single digits.

FIRST SINGLES
Mee Xiong returned to the line up and didn't miss a beat as she limited her errors to only 8 in a 21-7, 21-11 win over Mai Chu Thao. It was Thao's second loss this year.

In game one Xiong jumped off with 8 straight points as five Thao errors helped her cause. The lead soon ballooned to 14-1 and 19-3. A three point run by Thao made little impact as Xiong finished with 5/6 side outs in a 21-7 win.

Xiong trailed 2-1 before reeling off eight straight points to lead 9-2. Six Thao errors propelled Xiong at that stage. Xiong had another long run of 7 later in the game to go up 20-7. Thao held off Xiong for four points before Xiong ended it all on a smash.

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS: Xiong 8/12-.667; Thao 5/11-.455
RUNS OF 3+: Xiong 6, Thao 2
POINTS:
Xiong 42
Winners: 17: Soft Drives 5, Smashes 4, Drives 3, Drops 2, Clears 2, Aces 1
Thao Errors 25: hitting 22 (Net 14, Wide 5, Fans 3); Serving 3 (Deep 2, Net 1)
Thao 18
Winners 10: Soft Drives 4, Clears 3, Drives 1, Drops 1, Aces 1
Xiong Errors 8: hitting 4 (Wide 2, Fan 1, Net 1), serving 4 (Deep 3, Wide 1)
Time: 10:03

SINGLES
1. Mee Xiong (H) beat Mai Chu Thao 21-7, 21-11
2. Stephanie King (H) beat Pa Nha Xiong 21-8, 21-9
3. Crystal Yang (H) beat Ly Vang 21-10, 21-19
4. Alana Yang (H) beat Candy Camora 21-6, 21-17
DOUBLES
1. Mai Ngia Xiong/Mor Xiong (H) beat Xia Xiong/Ka Bao Xiong 21-18, 21-6
2. Gao Thao/Pa Nyia Thao (H) beat Kia Vue/Karrie Le 21-10, 21-17
3. Chao Xiong/Boa Vang (H) beat Yer Vue/Brenda Vue 21-9, 21-7

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 4-0 1.000
Games: Harding 8-0 1.000
Points: Harding 168-87 .659
decided by 10+: Harding 5-0 1.000
decided by 3-: Harding 1-0
DOUBLES
matches: Harding 3-0 1.000
games: Harding 6-0 1.000
points: Harding 126-67 .653
decided by 10+: Harding 4-0
decided by 3-: Harding 1-0

Next up: Tomorrow

Polls and Late Results

2008-05-02T19:57:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 5.2.2008
badminton news & information

LATE RESULTS
WEDNESDAY
Here are the latest results from Wednesday and Thursday

St. Paul Harding swept their triangular with Minneapolis South and St. Paul Arlington. Arlington won the third leg of the event with a 4-3 victory over the Tigers.

In other St. Paul action that day Central had the brooms ready for Humboldt. In the battles of the Parks it was Highland over Como 6-1.

THURSDAY
Central had revenge over Highland Park with a 4-3 win. Earlier in the season the score was flipped at HP.
In a non con game Johnson beat Burnsville 6-1.

In Minneapolis I reported on South's sweep of Henry. In other Mpls action North beat Washburn 6-1.

POLLS
Not a lot of changes, but a few switches
1. Harding
2. Johnson
3. Eden Prairie
4. Central
5. Highland Park
6. Edison
7. Arlington
8. Como Park
9. South
10. Burnsville
11. Humboldt
12. Henry
13. North
14. Southwest
15. Washburn
16. Roosevelt

INDIVIDUALS
I don't see these changing
1. Katie Vohnoutka, Eden Prairie
2. Khoua Xiong, St. Paul Highland Park
3. Mee Xiong, St. Paul Harding
4. Goly Yang, St. Paul Johnson
5. Yer Chang, St. Paul Central

Next week--St. Paul has one more match to play on Monday. Tuesday Minneapolis will hold their city tournament at Edison. Wednesday and Thursday it is St. Paul's turn with Central hosting.

next up: Monday

Next up: Monday

Out & About: Mpls South/Mpls Henry

2008-05-01T18:46:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 5.1.2008
badminton news & information

MINNEAPOLIS SOUTH tigers 7
MINNEAPOLIS HENRY patriots 0

South swept Henry to keep pace with Edison in the Minneapolis city race. This marked the second straight sweep suffered by Henry. There was only one match that had any drama and that was at second singles. Brett Smith outlasted Nhia Yang in the third game marathon 23-21.

There were a few adjustments in the Henry line up with new players at third and fourth singles. Both players from Tuesday's game at Edison missed practice yesterday. Also the gym divider at Henry was stuck, so the match was divided and had a more closed in feeling.

FIRST SINGLES
Yer Yang had more winners (15-11) than Desirae Garcia, but Garcia kept the bird in play and limited her errors in putting together a 2-0 win. The fact was Yang and Garcia had similar side out numbers, but Garcia ruled in runs of 3 or more with six, and prevented Yang from gaining any traction with only one run on the day.

Garcia used a four point run in game one to jump out 5-1. Yang used her only run of the day to close the gap to 9-7 with a smash and ace. Garcia then used an 8 point run to go out in front 17-7. Garcia had a couple of drops in that sequence. There were four side outs the rest of the way as Garcia won 21-10.

Yang led 4-3 when the serving problems that were prevalent on Tuesday came back to haunt her. Garcia got the bird back on a missed deep serve. That was to be the first of five in this frame. That missed serve opened up a five point run for Garcia. She led 8-4. Yang was able to close to 10-9. Garcia used another of her runs, all on Yang errors for a 14-9 lead. Yang pulled to 16-14. Garcia had her last run to go up 19-14. The serving errors also struck Garcia. After going deep, Yang cleared for point 16. After that the bird was traded three time and Garcia walked off the court with a 21-17 win.

photos: #1. Desirae Garcia follows through on a shot close to the net. #2. Yer Yang lunges to her right for a bird. photos by kja

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Desirae Garcia 11/19-.579; Yer Yang 10/18 -.556
RUNS OF 3+:
Desirae Garcia 6, Yer Yang 1
POINTS:
Desirae Garcia 42
Winners 11: Drops 4, Soft Drives 4, Drives 2, Clears 1
Yer Yang Errors 31: hitting 25 (Net 12, Wides 7, Deep 5, Fans 3); Serving 6 (Wide 2, Short 2, Deep 2)
Yer Yang 27
Winners: 15: Soft Drives 7, Clears 4, Drops 1, Smashes 1, Aces 1, Drives 1
Desirae Garcia Errors 12: hitting 9 (Wide 4, Net 3, Deep 1, Fan 1); Serving 3 (Deep 2, Wide 1)
Time: 13:43

SINGLES
1. Desirae Garcia (S) beat Yer Yang 21-10, 21-17
2. Brett Smith (S) beat Nhia Yang 21-14, 17-21, 23-21
3. Jessica Jolson (S) beat Mena Vue 21-13, 21-17
4. Cece Duerney (S) beat Gao Khue 21-8, 21-12
DOUBLES
1. Melissa Ng/Jane Olmstead-Rumsey (S) beat Neng Vang/See Thao 21-15, 21-15
2. Jackee Heslop/Karen Perault-Bouthton (S) beat Lakresha Williams/Sheng Xiong 21-10, 21-16
3. Rachel Mammen/Katherine McQuarter (S) beat Shoua/Tenisha 21-14, 21-13

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: South 4-0 1.000
Games: South 8-1 .889
Points: South 187-133 .584
decided by 10+: South 2-0
decided by 3-: South 1-0
DOUBLES
matches: South 3-0 1.000
games: South 6-0 1.000
points: South 126-83 .603
decided by 10+: South 1-0 1.000
decided by 3-: 0-0

next up: tomorrow

Results from Monday and Tuesday

2008-04-30T16:42:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 4.30.2008
badminton news & information

There is no out & about today.
However there are two days worth of results to digest.

On Monday in St. Paul
Besides the Arlington 4-3 win over Como Park, Harding beat Central 6-1 and Johnson beat Highland Park by the same score.
Humboldt won a non conference match with Minneapolis Henry 4-3.

In Minneapolis North beat Southwest in a make up match 4-3.

On Tuesday in Minneapolis
Besides the Edison 7-0 win over Henry yesterday that I reported on---North won their second match in two days with a 5-2 win over Roosevelt. South swept Southwest 7-0.

In other news Minneapolis Henry coach Tim Miller and wife Megan welcomed new baby girl Riley into the world on April 22.

next up: tomorrow I will be back in the out & about circuit as the last full regular season week wraps up.

Out & About: Edison/Henry

2008-04-29T18:36:00.003-05:00

#1 posting 4.29.2008
badminton news & information

MINNEAPOLIS EDISON tommies 7,
MINNEAPOLIS HENRY patriots 0

The Edison Tommies rolled over the Henry Patriots in a Minneapolis battle. The Tommies swept all events. The singles were clean, each at 2-0. The doubles provided the only drama with two matches going to three games. Henry led 1-0 at second doubles before Kia and Brenda Vue rallied for the the win. Yer Vue and Karrie Le won the first and then lost the second before completing the perfect day for Edison.

FIRST SINGLES
If you look closely at the numbers you will find both players had the exact same amount of winners at 13. It was in the error department that Chue Mai Thao of Edison took advantage of the points gift wrapped by Yer Yang. Yang had seven missed serves, five for first side outs in the first game. Thao won that game 21-14----seven better. Thao only had three winners in the first game. Yang ended her own serve on three straight sequences twice in the first game.

The second game had more winners for each player and was more compelling. Yang led early at 3-1. Thao was able to get a five point run to take a 6-3 lead. Yang managed to tie it up at 10 and 11. A 7-1 Thao run put the Tommie in the drivers seat. In the last run of three Thao had a pair of clears for points. The rest of the game was a battle of side outs.

photos: Chu Mai Thao studying a previous shot. #2. Yer Yang rises up for the shot. photos by kja

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Chue Mai Thao 14/20-.700; Yer Yang 9/19 .474
RUNS OF 3+:
Chue Mai Thao 6, Yer Yang 3
POINTS:
Chue Mai Thao 42
Winners 13: Soft Drives 6, Clears 3, Drives 2, Smashes 2
Yer Yang Errors 29: hitting 21 (Net 10, Fan 4, Wide 4, Deep 3); Serving 8 (Deep 5, Wide 3)
Yer Yang 29
Winners: 13: Soft Drives 5, Aces 3, Clears 3, Drops 1, Smashes 1
Chue Mai Thao Errors 16: hitting 15 (Net 11, Wide 4); Serving 1 (Net 1)
Time: 13:38

SINGLES
1. Chue Mai Thao (E) beat Yer Yang 21-14, 21-15
2. Pa Nha Xiong (E) beat Nhia Yang 21-14, 21-14
3. Ly Vang (E) beat Choua Pha 21-15, 21-12
4. Candy Camora (E) beat Ma Pha 21-15, 21-17
DOUBLES
1. Xia Xiong/Ka Bao Xiong (E) beat Neng Vang/See Thao 21-10, 21-15
2. Kia Vue/Brenda Vue (E) beat Lakresha Williams/Sheng Xiong 15-21, 21-19, 21-13
3. Yer Vue/Karrie Le (E) beat Shoua/Tenisha 21-11, 15-21, 21-15

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Edison 4-0 1.000
Games: Edison 8-0 1.000
Points: Edison 168-116 .592
decided by 10+: 0-0
decided by 3-: 0-0
DOUBLES
matches: Edison 3-0 1.000
games: Edison 6-2 .750
points: Edison 156-125 .555
decided by 10+: Edison 2-0 1.000
decided by 3-: Edison 1-0 1.000

next up: tomorrow

Out & About: Arlington/Como Park

2008-04-28T18:51:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 4.28.2008
badminton news & information

ST. PAUL ARLINGTON phoenix 4,
ST. PAUL COMO PARK cougars 3

One of the great things about badminton is that no matter how miserable the weather (temps topping out at 40 degrees) the game goes on. The weather was cold but the action on Rice Street was hot. Arlington won a tight contest with Como Park 4-3. How tight was it? if you add the total points Arlington beat Como by one 333-332. Arlington took the last two singles, and the odd doubles to put together their win. All the doubles went three games. Three of the games were within two of each other. At first doubles the Arlington pair lost the first game and bounced back to take the victory. At second and third both winners split their series.
The fact is I saw the two matches that had the largest margins, so the action wasn't representitive of the final score.

It was senior day for Arlington as 13 seniors received flowers.

FIRST SINGLES
This was a rare case in this match of one player having an easy victory. Yer Yang had 26 points given to her on hitting and or serving errors by Kazoua Yang. Yer Yang's victory margin in points was 19. The next closest match was at fourth singles with 13 (which is told down below).
Yer Yang had 7 runs of 3 or more and slammed the door on Kazoua's serve with a side out % of .688. If you look at the winners for each player Yer edged Kazoua 16-15.

Yer took a 5-1 lead in the first game and it was never seriously in doubt. Yer had five runs in the first game. Kazoua was able to get two side outs on Yer's 5th and 6th serve.

In game two Kazoua was able to get as close as 8-6 after trailing 4-1. A Yer run of five put some distance between the two. Kazoua hitting errors provided four points in the run. Kazoua had her only run of the match with four straight to close to 13-10. The game stayed in the three point margin until Yer got a side out. She finished off the match with five straight.

Photos: #1 Yer Yang eyeing the bird. #2 Kazoua Yang reaches for the bird. photos by kja

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Yer Yang 11/16-.688; Kazoua Yang 8/18-.444
RUNS OF 3+:
Yer Yang 7, Kazoua Yang 1
POINTS:
Yer Yang 42
Winners: 16: Drops 7, Soft Drives 3, Drives 2, Clears 2, Smashes 2
Kazoua Yang Errors 26: hitting 24 (Net 13, Wide 5, Deep 4, Fans 2); Serving 2 (Wide 1, Net 1)
Kazoua Yang 23
Winners 15: Drops 9, Soft Drive 2, Smashes 2, Clears 2
Yer Yang Errors 8: hitting 8 (Net 4, Wide 2, Drives 1, Fans 1)
Time: 13:00

FOURTH SINGLES
The fourth singles match had two games with a different feel. Tina Yang controlled the action in game one right from the start with six straight points. At the start it was evident that Der Xiong didn't have the energy that Yang possessed. Xiong did come back to 14-10, but Yang took another big run with five straight to put her on the verge. Yang used the drop for six points in game one including point #21.

Game two was much more competitive. Yang had a run of four for a 6-3 lead. Again the drop was effective for two points. Yang led 14-12 when Der Xiong had a monster run of seven to grab a 19-14 lead. Xiong was on the verge at 20-15 when, on her serve, Yang forced a side out as Xiong fanned on a shot. Yang then served out with six straight points--the last point---a drop.

Photos: Tina Yang up close with a back hand. Der Xiong about to smash. photos by kja

FOURTH SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Tina Yang 6/16-.375; Der Xiong 6/16-.353
RUNS OF 3+:
Tina Yang 6, Der Xiong 2
POINTS:
Tina Yang 43
Winners: 28: Drops 13, Drives 7, Clears 3, Smashes 3, Soft Drives 1, Aces 1
Der Xiong Errors 15: hitting 15 (Nets 11, Fans 2, Wides 1, Deep 1)
Der Xiong 31
Winners 12: Drives 3, Drops 2, Clears 2, Aces 2, Smashes 2, Soft Drives 1
Tina Yang Errors 19: hitting 15 (Nets 10, Wides 4, Fans 1); Serves 4 (Deep 3, Wide 1)
Time: 14:50

SINGLES
1. Yer Yang (CP) beat Kazoua Yang 21-10, 21-13
2. KaNeng Vue (CP) beat Cha Her 21-12, 16-21, 21-16
3. Novia Josiah (A) beat Nou Fang 21-16, 21-16
4. Tina Yang (A) beat Der Xiong 21-11, 22-20
DOUBLES
1. Pa Hnia Yang/Kia Her (A) beat Bao Vue/Alynda Her 13-21, 21-14, 21-15
2. Youa Lee/Xue Yang (CP) beat Pamale Thao/Chia Vang 22-20, 21-23, 21-16
3. Nancy Vang/Zee Lue Xiong (A) beat Nikita Vang/Paxia Her 21-17, 20-22, 21-16

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: 2-2
Games: Arlington 5-4 .556
Points: Como Park 163-157 .509
decided by 10+: 1-1
decided by 3-: Arlington 1-0
DOUBLES
matches: Arlington 2-1 .667
games: Arlington 5-4 .556
points: Arlington 176-169 .510
decided by 10+: 0-0
decided by 3-: Como Park 2-1 .667

next up: tomorrow

Rankings and Week Ahead

2008-04-27T09:20:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 4.27.2008
badminton news & information

WEEKLY RANKINGS
With Harding's win over Johnson this past week they flip flop the top spot.
1. Harding
2. Johnson
3. Eden Prairie
4. Highland Park
5. Central
6. Edison
7. South
8. Como Park
9. Burnsville
10. Arlington
11. Humboldt
12. Henry
13. Southwest
14. North
15. Washburn
16. Roosevelt

#1 SINGLES RANKINGS
I have seen these three the most. I have one match records for many others, but that is not enough to make the list.
1. Katie Vohnoutka, Eden Prairie
2. Khoua Xiong, St. Paul Highland Park
3. Mee Xiong, St. Paul Harding
4. Goly Yang, St. Paul Johnson
5. Chang, St. Paul Central

THE WEEK AHEAD
This is the last full week for the regular season. The Minneapolis race is up in the air with South and Edison each with one loss. Henry may be the spoiler as they play each this week.
In St. Paul Harding will be at Central, they host Arlington, and Como Park. Johnson hosts Highland Park and Humboldt this week. Both Harding and Johnson have one loss.

By the way I have finally added the photos for the Harding/Johnson match and the Burnsville triangular with Harding and Eden Prairie.

Next up:

Late Results

2008-04-25T08:33:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 4.25.2008
badminton news & information

It has been a while since we checked in on the results from around the area
THURSDAY
Edison edged South 4-3 which is the same score Washburn used to beat Roosevelt in Minneapolis.
In St. Paul Johnson dropped Arlington 6-1.
I reported on the Burnsville Triangular yesterday. I hope to get the photos up later today.

WEDNESDAY
In Minneapolis--- Henry beat Roosevelt 5-2; South beat North 6-1, and Southwest swept Washburn 7-0.

In St. Paul Central beat Arlington 5-2 and Highland Park also beat Humboldt 5-2. I reported on the Harding 4-3 win over Johnson on Wednesday.

In non conference action it was Como Park beating Burnsville 5-2.

Next up: tomorrow

Out & About: Burnsville Triangular

2008-04-24T19:34:00.006-05:00

#1 posting 4.24.2008
badminton news & information

BURNSVILLE TRIANGULAR
Today Burnsville hosted St. Paul Harding and Eden Prairie in a triangular. Harding finished 2-0, Eden Prairie split their contests, and Burnsville lost twice.

This also marked the third time I saw Harding this week (or fourth). The schedule works out like that some times.

MATCH 1:
ST. PAUL HARDING knights 7, BURNSVILLE blaze 0

Harding swept Burnsville 7-0 and the Knights did not lose a game. The closest contest came in the second game at first doubles as Mai Ngia Xiong and Mor Xiong went way beyond the 21 points in a 26-24 marathon win. They trailed when I first started watching 14-10.

FIRST SINGLES
At first singles Mee Xiong after spotting Ciera Hogenson a 2-0 lead had runs on her next four serves in a 21-6 win in game one. In game two it was more of the same as Xiong got into a rhythm. The drop worked for 7 Xiong points in game two.

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Xiong 4/7 -.571; Hogenson 2/9-.222
RUNS OF 3+:
Xiong 7, Hogenson 0
POINTS:
Xiong 43* by my count
Winners: 26: Drops 10, Drives 8, Clears 5, Smashes 1, aces 1, soft drives 1
Hogenson Errors 17: hitting 17 (Net 9, Wide 5, Fan 3)
Hogenson 10
Winners 4: Smashes 2, Drives 1, Clears 1
Xiong Errors 6: hitting 5 (Net 3, Wide 1, Deep 1), serving 1 (net 1)
Time: 10:24

SINGLES
1. Mee Xiong (H) beat Ciara Hogenson 21-6, 21-4
2. Stephanie King (H) beat Adrienne Sherman 21-11, 21-10
3. Crystal Yang (H) beat Claire Weiss 21-14, 21-18
4. Alana Yang (H) beat Bea Soderholm 21-11, 21-12
DOUBLES
1. Mai Ngia Xiong/Mor Xiong (H) beat Amy Linblad/Natalie Leiker 21-16, 26-24
2. Gao Thao/Pa Nyia Thao (H) beat Lisa Dennnis/Soogin Moon 21-7, 21-17
3. Chao Xiong/Boa Vang (H) beat Ashley Kolstad/Leah Kolstad 21-15, 21-7

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 4-0 1.000
Games: Harding 8-0 1.000
Points: Harding 168-86 .661
decided by 10+: Harding 5-0 1.000
decided by 3-: Harding 1-0
DOUBLES
matches: Harding 3-0 1.000
games: Harding 6-0 1.000
points: Harding 131-86 .604
decided by 10+: Harding 2-0 1.000
decided by 3-: Harding 1-0 1.000

MATCH 2:
ST. PAUL HARDING knights 5, EDEN PRAIRIE eagles 2

Harding beat Eden Prairie by taking all matches but the first singles and first doubles. This was a tighter contest than indicated. At third singles Crystal Yang edged out Zyue Chen in two, but it took an extra point in each game to secure the win. Second doubles also had a tight beginning for Gao Thao and Pa Nyia Thao at 21-19.
Eden Prairie took both firsts, but they were contested also. Katie Vohoutka slipped past Mee Xiong at singles with a 22-20 margin in the first game. EP's first doubles duo of Becca Wade and Larysa Eteneuer was the only match that went three games. The Eagles pair won the first game, fell in the second and took the third.

FIRST SINGLES
This was the most interesting of the three singles matches today. Xiong started off with a three point run. Vohnoutka answered right back with a run of three on her own. She added another three run after a Xiong side out to make it 6-4. Xiong took advantage of three errors to take an 11-9 lead. The smash game kicked in for Vohnoutka with three straight points off smashes to make it 15-13. Xiong tied it at 15 and the game was tied three more times, the last at 20. Vohnoutka was on the verge at 20-19, but a shot that sailed wide tied it up at 20. Vohnoutka ended the first game with two straight smashes.

The EP Senior used that momentum to launch game two with five straight points (again with three smashes). The Side out game was controlled by Vohnoutka .750 in this game. She also had two more runs. Xiong got close with a five point run to make it 12-10. Most were hitting errors on drop attempts or smash attempts by Vohnoutka. Xiong served deep and the momentum shifted back to Vohnoutka. She had an 8-3 run to finish.

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Vohnoutka 12/20 .600; Xiong 8/20-.400
RUNS OF 3+:
Vohnoutka 6, Xiong 3
POINTS:
Vohnoutka 43
Winners 27: Smashes 18, Clears 6, Drops 1, Soft Drives 1, Drives 1
Xiong Errors 16: hitting 14 (Net 6, Wide 3, Deep 3, Fans 2), serving 2 (Deep 2)
Xiong 33
Winners: 12: Drives 5, Smashes 2, Clears 2, Soft Drives 1, Aces 1, Drops 1
Vohnoutka Errors 21: hitting 21 (Net 11, Wide 5, Deep 3, Fan 2)
Time: 14:40

SINGLES
1. Katie Vohnoutka (EP) beat Mee Xiong 22-20, 21-13
2. Stephanie King (H) beat Nicky Wade 21-16, 21-8
3. Crystal Yang (H) beat Zyue Chen 22-20, 22-20
4. Alana Yang (H) beat Janet Stewart 21-12, 21-7
DOUBLES
1. Becca Wade/Larysa Eteneuer (EP) beat Mai Ngia Xiong/Mor Xiong (H) 21-7, 16-21, 21-15
2. Gao Thao/Pa Nyia Thao (H) beat Samantha Klemp/Heather Blake 21-19, 21-12
3. Chao Xiong/Boa Vang (H) beat Cailin Hawkins/Victoria Phoung 21-11, 21-15

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 3-1 .750
Games: Harding 6-2 .750
Points: Harding 161-126 .561
decided by 10+: Harding 2-0 1.000
decided by 3-: Harding 2-1 .667
DOUBLES
matches: Harding 2-1 .667
games: Harding 5-2 .714
points: Harding 127-115 .525
decided by 10+: Eden Prairie 1-0 1.000
decided by 3-: Harding 1-0 1.000

MATCH 3
EDEN PRAIRIE eagles 7, BURNSVILLE blaze 0

Eden Prairie swept host Burnsville in the final match 7-0. The tightest contests came at doubles with EP's 2nd doubles Samantha Klemp and Heather Blake dropping the first game before bouncing back and winning the next two; and Cailin Hawkins and Victoria Phoung pulling the same trick at third doubles. They needed to go extra points in game two to tie it up.

FIRST SINGLES
Vohnoutka broke free from a 7-5 game with a 12-0 run in game one. Once again the smash was working as the EP senior had 9 for the first game.

Vohnoutka controlled the side out game in game two. She did not have such a massive run in game two, and the smashes weren't as frequent, but the results were similar. Her biggest run was a six point margin taking her from an 11-7 lead to 17-7. The Smash did return for the final point.

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Vohnoutka 12/15-.800; Hogenson 6/15-.400
RUNS OF 3+:
Vohnoutka 5, Hogenson 1
POINTS:
Vohnoutka 42
Winners 22: Smashes 14, Drives 5, Clears 2, Soft Drives 1
Hogenson Errors 20: hitting 17 (Net 8, Wides 6, Deep 2, Fan 1), serving 3 (Deep 2, Net 1)
Hogenson 18
Winners: 5: Clears 2, Drops 2, Smashes 1
Vohnoutka Errors 13: hitting 12 (Deep 5, Net 4, Wide 3); Serving 1 (wide)
Time: 11:10

SINGLES
1. Katie Vohnoutka (EP) beat Ciara Hogenson 21-7, 21-11
2. Nicky Wade (EP) beat Adrienne Sherman 21-14, 21-19
3. Zyue Chen (EP) beat Claire Weiss 21-17, 21-14
4. Janet Stewart (EP) beat Bea Soderholm 21-13, 21-13
DOUBLES
1. Becca Wade/Larysa Eteneuer (EP) beat Amy Linblad/Natalie Leiker 21-14, 21-14
2. Samantha Klemp/Heather Blake (EP) beat Lisa Dennnis/Soogin Moon 18-21, 21-18, 21-14
3. Cailin Hawkins/Victoria Phoung (EP) beat Ashley Kolstad/Leah Kolstad 13-21, 23-21, 21-8

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Eden Prairie 4-0 1.000
Games: Eden Prairie 8-0 1.000
Points: Eden Prairie 168-108 .609
decided by 10+: Eden Prairie 1-0 1.000
decided by 3-: Eden Prairie 1-0 1.000
DOUBLES
matches: Eden Prairie 3-0 1.000
games: Eden Prairie 6-2 .750
points: Eden Prairie 159-131 .548
decided by 10+: Eden Prairie 1-0 1.000
decided by 3-: Eden Prairie 2-1 .667

Next up: tomorrow

Out & About: St. Paul Harding/St. Paul Johnson

2008-04-23T17:58:00.002-05:00

#1 posting 4.23.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

ST. PAUL HARDING knights 4,
ST. PAUL JOHNSON governors 3

The Harding Knights turned the tables on Johnson 4-3 in a revenge match between the two east side rivals. Harding split the singles and took two of the three doubles reversing the first meeting of the year between the two. Only one match went three games and that was won by Johnson at second singles as Goly Yang bounced back to take game three after winning game one. There were a couple of matches at doubles that went to extra points (or point). Both of those extra point games were in the second game and both at the first two doubles. Each team won a match in that manner.

FIRST SINGLES
I arrived with the score 10-4 for Mee Xiong of Harding. Pang Thao was slotted in first singles for the first time when I was watching. Her mobility appeared to be an issue as Xiong had five drops with Thao conceding those shots in the first six points I saw from Xiong. Xiong had runs of four twice and also had 3/4 side outs in the abbreviated first game stats.

Both players had six straight side outs to start the game. Two of the first points for Harding came on Thao serving errors. Xiong broke open the game with five straight points to take an 8-3 lead. Thao came back with a four point run including the side out to make it 10-9. The problem was Thao only was able to get the side out half the time in game two. Xiong used the drop to start another three point run. Thao had one more run of her own to cut it to 16-13. The Drop again stopped Thao and Xiong didn't give the bird back with six straight points to finish the contest. When I saw the game Xiong had 7 drops for winning points.

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
keep in mind this is when I saw the action, not the entire match.
SIDEOUTS:
Xiong 8/11-.727; Thao 5/12-.417
POINT RUNS OF 3+:
Xiong 6, Thao 2
POINTS:
Xiong 35
Winners 16: Drops 7, Smashes 5, Drives 3, Clears 1
Thao Errors 23: hitting 22 (Net 11, Wide 6, Drive 5); serving 1 (deep 1)
Unknown: 3 (when I was trying to get situated, or got caught looking down)
Thao 17
Winners 7: Drives 2, Smashes 2, Soft Drives 1, Clears 1, Drops 1
Khoua Errors 9: hitting 9 (Net 7, Wide 2)

SECOND SINGLES
Harding's Stephanie King led early in game one 6-2 with five straight points helped out by a pair of clears. Goly Yang had her own streak of 7 during a 13-4 run. Yang had three drops in the mix. Two of Yang's points came off King's missed serve. King rallied to 17-15 on a 6-2 run again. Yang used a clear , and then served an ace to inch closer to game one victory. The fact that Yang was able to get six side outs in the first game helped secure the win.

King again led early in game two 5-1 This time it was King that ruled the side out game with five in the seven Yang chances this game. King also used runs to full effect. She had four in this game. Yang did close to 10-7 but King finished the contest with an 11-2 run to knot the contest up one apiece.

By this time Harding had secured the win with four points. Still this was a fiercely contested match. The serve rotations came to 11, the most of any of the three games. The King pattern of leading early didn't hold in this game. Yang led 4-2 with drops for three points. It soon became a game of runs. The next four serving sequences all had runs. The side out game had evaporated. Yang had a run of two to stop the rampant run game. Yang was the first to get a side out after six services. The contest shifted over to a side out game for the next five serves. Yang was able to break free for one point on her 7th serve. The advantage held the rest of the game. Yang ended the game with a smash.

The odd thing in this match was King outpointed Yang 53-51 in the three games. Also King had four more 3+ runs. However Yang trumped King in sideout % and in winners 27-21.

SECOND SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Yang 14/26-.538; King 13/28-.464
POINT RUNS OF 3+:
King 8, Yang 4
POINTS:
Yang 51
Winners 27: Drops 9, Clears 5, Smashes 5, Drives 5, Aces 2, Soft Drives 1
King errors 24: Hitting 20 (Wide 9, Net 7, Deep 4); Serving 4 (Wide 3, Short 1)
King 53
Winners 21: Clears 8, Drives 4, Drops 3, Smashes 3, Soft drives 2, Aces 1
Yang errors: 32: Hitting 31 (Net 10, Wide 9, Deep 7, Fans 5) Serves 1 (wide 1)

photos: #1 Mee Xiong moves forward to take a drop shot. #2. Pang Thao looks for a smash attempt. #3 Goly Yang rushes the net. #4. Stephanie King with a back hand. photos by kja

SINGLES
1. Mee Xiong (H) beat Pang Thao 21-9, 21-14
2. Goly Yang (J) beat Stephanie King 21-16, 8-21, 21-16
3. Olamade Fudahunsi (J) beat Crystal Yang 21-16, 21-4
4. Kazoua Yang (H) beat Chia Lor 21-17, 21-15
DOUBLES
1. Kia Thao/Belick Pha (J) beat Mai Ngia Xiong/Mor Xiong 21-16, 22-20
2. Chao Xiong/Pa Nhia Vang (H) beat Mai Thao/Sheng Thao 21-15, 22-20
3. Gao Thao/Pa Nyia Thao (H) beat Shoua Vang/Kou Nou Chang 21-13, 21-15

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 2-2 .500
Games: Harding 5-4 .556
Points: Harding 157-147 .516
decided by 10+: Harding 2-1 .667
decided by 3-: 0-0
DOUBLES
matches: Harding 2-1 .667
games: Harding 4-2 .667
points: Harding 121-106 .533
decided by 10+: 0-0
decided by 3-: 1-1

Next up: tomorrow

Monday Results

2008-04-22T08:16:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 4.22.2008
badminton news & information

MONDAY RESULTS
In Minneapolis it was Edison sweeping Roosevelt 7-0 and North topping Southwest 5-2. The Polars now have three wins on the year while the Tommies have eight.

In St. Paul it was Humboldt beating Arlington 4-3. It was the Hawks second win on the year. Also I reported on the Harding 6-1 win over Highland Park last night (before the storm). I will get the photos up later today (the storm prevented that action).

In a non conference match Minneapolis South beat Burnsville 4-3. South is undefeated so far this year.

On Friday Como Park beat Humboldt 4-3.

I glanced at the schedule and did not see any scheduled matches today, so the out & abouts will take a day off.

Out & About: St. Paul Harding/St. Paul Highland Park

2008-04-21T19:21:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 4.21.2008
badminton news & information

ST. PAUL HARDING knights 6,
ST. PAUL HIGHLAND PARK scots 1

St. Paul Harding hosted Highland Park and beat the Scots 6-1. HP won at first singles in three games, while Harding took the rest in two games. The Knights were able to score on six of every 10 points today. Earlier this year Harding won 5-2. Last time HP won at 3rd doubles. Harding has a rough schedule this week with Johnson on Wednesday, and then a triangular at Burnsville on Thursday with Eden Prairie too.
Today was scheduled as a triangular, but Minneapolis South was at Burnsville and will take on Harding on the 30th of April instead.

FIRST SINGLES
Khoua Xiong beat Mee Xiong in three and was the only HP point on the day. Mee Xiong had more total points in the match and a better side out percentage, but Khoua Xiong was able to rally in games one and two to take the match.

In game one, Harding's Mee Xiong led 7-3 after getting four straight side outs. On Khoua's fifth serve she was able to squeeze out three points. Mee broke a 9 all tie with three straight. The key turning point in game one came on Khoua's 8th serve when she added 8 points to her totals and take a 19-13 lead. Both players were using the full court, and rallies went back and forth. Khoua served wide to give the ball back to Mee. She added two more to her totals to make it 19-16. The rest of the game was a side out game with Khoua ending up on top 21-17.

Game two belonged totally to Mee. Mee trailed 7-6 when she ran off six straight on her 6th serve. That put the lead at 13-7. She finished with an 8-2 run. Mee's side out game shut down any Khoua surge. Khoua was only able to get two points off her serve and only had two winners in that game.

In the last game Mee led off where she left off with the first three points, all on Khoua hitting errors. Khoua got the bird back on a back handed hitting error in the net. She then added four points on her serve. There were seven ties up to 11 all. Khoua broke free after a 5-1 run thanks to the clear shot. Three of the five points were clears, and had 11 clears for the entire match. Mee got the bird back after a wide Khoua serve. Mee Xiong served up four points to go back in front 17-16. Khoua took the lead at 19-17 with an ace in a three point run. Mee matched her with three straight and on the verge at 20-19 after a drop. Khoua Xiong got the 20th point on her own drop shot and then never gave the bird back. She used a drive and then, for the final point, delivered an ace deep.

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Khoua 13/27 .481; Mee 16/27-.593
POINT RUNS OF 3+:
Khoua 7, Mee 9
POINTS:
Khoua 53
Winners 30: Clears 11, Aces 6, Drives 6, Drops 4, Smashes 2, Soft Drives 1
Mee Errors 23: hitting 22 (Net 11, Wide 6, Drive 5); serving 1 (deep 1)
Mee 58
Winners 21: Drops 8, Drives 7, Clears 3, Smashes 1, Aces 1, unknown 1
Khoua Errors 37: hitting 32 (Net 22, Deep 5, Wide 4, Fan 1), serving 5 (wide 3, deep 1, Net 1)

Time: 20:49

photo: #1 Khoua Xiong of Highland Park after a hard drive. #2 Mee Xiong able to react to a quick shot. photos kja

FOURTH SINGLES
After that the 4th singles took the court. Harding's Kazoua Yang won in two over Nhu Richards. One key difference between the two was Yang was able to garner seven three point runs to Richards' one. Also the side out game worked in favor of Yang.
In the first game Richards led 2-0 before Yang got on the board. Richards tied it at 5 and that was the final time it was close. Yang ran off five straight to make it 10-5. Yang had two more long runs in that victory.
In game two Richards led again 2-0 and again at 4-2. Once again Yang was able to squeeze runs off her serve. Yang led 13-7 after her fifth serve. Richards had more staying power in this game with a 5-1 run and being able to close the margin to 15-13. Service errors plagued Richards with three in this game and five for the match. That is what stopped her serve run at 15-13, and it also finished the contest.
You also can see the difference in side out %, and points off errors with the first singles. The number of winners tended to be lower.

Photos: #1 Kazoua Yang uses her body English to get the shot where she wants it. #2. Nhu Richards hits a back hand for HP. photos by kja

FOURTH SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Yang 7/15 .467; Richards 5/16 .313
POINT RUNS OF 3+:
Yang 7, Richards 1
POINTS:
Yang 42
Winners 16: Drops 4, Smashes 3, Clears 3, Aces 2, Drives 2
Richards Errors 27: hitting 22 (Net 12, Wide 7, Deep 3); serving 5 (Wide 3, Deep 2)
Richards 24
Winners 6: Soft Drives 2, Clears 2, Drives 1, Smashes 1
Yang Errors 18: hitting 16 (Deep 8, Net 7, Wide 1 ), serving 5 (wide 1, deep 1)

SINGLES
1. Khoua Xiong (HP) beat Mee Xiong 21-17, 10-21, 22-20
2. Stephanie King (H) beat Micha Everts 21-15, 21-7
3. Crystal Yang (H) beat Mai Yia Moua 21-9, 21-17
4. Kazoua Yang (H) beat Nhu Richards 21-9, 21-16
DOUBLES
1. Mai Ngia Xiong/Mor Xiong (H) beat Pa Kou Lor/Drew Thao 21-12, 21-11
2. Chao Xiong/Pa Nhia Vang (H) beat Grace Moran/Alison Cole 21-19, 21-15
3. Alana Yang/Pa Nyia Thao (H) beat Seng Lee/Pa Ying Moua 21-12, 21-17

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 3-1 .750
Games: Harding 7-2 .778
Points: Harding 184-126 .594
decided by 10+: Harding 4-0
decided by 3 or less: Highland Park 1-0
DOUBLES
matches: Harding 3-0 1.000
games: Harding 6-0 1.000
points: Harding 126-86 .594
decided by 10+: Harding 1-0
decided by 3: Harding 1-0

Next up: tomorrow

Friday Results

2008-04-20T05:23:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 4.20.2008
badminton news & information

FRIDAY RESULTS
I reported on the Johnson 5-2 win over Central on Friday.

Also Friday it was Arlington topping Highland Park 4-3. I had Arlington #4 in my Friday poll with Arlington #10. Arlington is now 2-7 on the year. The Phoenix are 1-3 in 4-3 games this year. HP is 4-3 on the year and 3-1 in 4-3 games.
There was no word on the Como Park vs Humboldt match.

NEXT WEEK
Harding has three days of quality competition with two triangulars sandwiching the rematch with Johnson. On Monday there is a triangular at Harding with Highland Park and Mpls South, the city leader on the west side. On Wednesday is the Johnson match. Thursday there is one more triangular at Burnsville with the Blaze and Eden Prairie.

Next up: Monday

Out & About: Johnson/Central

2008-04-18T18:32:00.002-05:00

#2 posting 4.18.2008
badminton news & information

ST. PAUL JOHNSON governors 5,
ST. PAUL CENTRAL minutemen 2

In the last first round match in the St. Paul conference it was Johnson maintaining their undefeated streak at 9-0 with a 5-2 win over host Central. Johnson took three of the singles, and a pair of doubles in the victory. Three matches went the distance and Johnson took two of those. There weren't many matches that were open and shut. At fourth singles Central moved Aranya Thao up from JV first singles. For Johnson, Pang Thao returned to action, but with a bandaged knee and at second singles. She won in three games taking the first game, falling in the second and then taking the third. With Thao moving to second singles that meant that Kia Thao returned to first doubles with partner Shoua Vang after being split up against Eden Prairie. That duo lost in three however to Central's Doua Thao and Da Chang. The Central pair had to win the final two games for the win.
I barely made it to the game on time thanks to the rain with the highways jammed more than normal. On top of that the door to the gym was locked so I had to go around trying to find the open door. Also I had to dodge the Central track team practicing in the hall ways.

FIRST SINGLES
Johnson's Goly Yang won in two games, but my numbers in game one and the final score were off in game one. In game two the numbers agreed. Yang had a 7-2 lead early in the first game after a five point serve. Chang cut it to 10-7 after her 5th serve. Chang used a five point service on her 6th serve to take a 13-12 lead. All five points came via Yang hitting errors. Chang held leads at 14-12, and 16-14. After a Yang soft drive for a side out she added two points to regain the lead at 17-16. Chang got the bird back and then had what appeared to be a three point serve to get to 20-17. However there may have been a do over on point 19 as one of the doubles team tumbled and rolled onto the court. If that was the case then it was 19-17. After that point it was 5-2 for Yang and she walked off the court with a 24-22 win. My numbers had 22-22. If you take away the tumble then it is 22-21 in favor of Yang. The first game lasted 9:29.

In game two Yang rode the momentum and only trailed at 1-0. After that Yang was able to squeeze points on her 3rd through 6th serve. It was 12-8 after her 6th serve. Yang used drop shots for points five times in game two. Yang had another 3 point run at 16-10. Then it was a side out game with 7 straight side outs. Chang breathed new life into her game with three points including an ace at point 17 to make it 19-17. Yang stopped the run with a drive to make it 20-17. Chang came up with a clear in the corner to make it 20-18. On her serve Yang got the final point on a Chang hit that went wide.

Photos: #1. Pang Thao of Johnson with her knee bandaged at 2nd singles. #2. Yer Chang reaches by a back hand. #3. Goly Yang rushes to get a drop shot. photos by kja

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Yang 14/23-.609; Chang 11/23-.478
RUNS OF 3+:
Yang 5, Chang 4
POINTS:
Yang 43
Winners 17: Drops 9, Soft Drives 3, Drives 2, Smashes 2, Clears 1
Chang Errors 26: hitting 23 (Wide 10, Net 8, Deep 4, Fan 1), serving 3 (short 1, Deep 1, Wide 1)
Chang 40
Winners 15: Drops 4, Clears 4, Smashes 3, Drives 2, Soft Drives 1, Aces 1
Yang Errors: 23: Hitting 23 (Net 11, Wide 8, Drives 3, Fans 1), Serving 2 (deep 2)
Time: 18:22 minutes

OTHER MATCHES
After that my attention shifted one court to my right with first doubles. It was tied at 1-1 and the first few points of the third game already had been tallied. The Central duo of Thao and Chang led early and maintained their advantage throughout the final frame. The Johnson pair had a three point run to close to 14-12, but they never got closer. Central used drives to finish the match with the final two points after the Johnson closed one final time to 19-17. Six of the last eight Central points came off drives.

After that the match was 2-2. But Central wasn't going to get another victory.

SINGLES
1. Goly Yang (J) beat Yer Chang 24-22, 21-18
2. Pang Thao (J) beat Kari Finseth 21-14, 17-21, 21-16
3. Ka Yang (C) beat Belick Pha 21-12, 21-18
4. Olamade Fudahunsi (J) beat Aranya Thao 21-11, 21-12
DOUBLES
1. Melissa Vang/Nitsan Chang (C) beat Kia Thao/Shoua Vang 20-22, 21-17, 21-17
2. Ma Thao Xiong/Sheng Tha (J) beat Malinda Xiong/Mai See Xiong 18-21, 21-14, 21-15
3. Cha Lor/Hlee Vang (J) beat Mai Sia Yang/Phoua Xiong 21-17, 21-17

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Johnson 3-1 .750
Games: Johnson 7-2 .778
Points: Johnson 176-154 .533
decided by 10+: Johnson 1-0
decided by 3 or less: 1-1
DOUBLES
matches: Johnson 2-1 .667
games: Johnson 5-3 .625
points: Johnson 158-146 .520
decided by 10+: 0-0
decided by 3-: 1-1

Next up: tomorrow morning

Rankings (Finally), Births and Anthems

2008-04-18T09:53:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 4.18.2008
badminton news & information

THURSDAY RESULTS
I have been remiss in my updating duties. I think I have the problems under control and the systems set up right now.
In Minneapolis last night (or afternoon) it was Edison over Washburn and South over Roosevelt by the same scores 6-1. I reported on the Henry 5-2 win over North last night.

ODDS & ENDS
Henry Coach Miller's wife is due to give birth today. It will be the first child for the pair.

I failed to mention that on Monday at Eden Prairie before the Johnson match the National Anthem was sung by a few of the EP girls. It was the first time I remember hearing the NA at any badminton match ever. They did an outstanding job and ranks up their with the best I have seen/heard in all my other sports I cover.

RANKINGS
I think I got a handle on this now, but this is the rankings
1. Johnson
2. Harding
3. Eden Prairie
4. Highland Park
5. Central
6. Burnsville
7. South
8. Como Park
9. Edison
10. Arlington
11. Humboldt
12. Henry
13. Southwest
14. North
15. Washburn
16. Roosevelt

Next up: later today with an out & about

Out & About: Henry/North

2008-04-17T18:23:00.003-05:00

#1 posting 4.17.2008
badminton news & information

MINNEAPOLIS HENRY patriots 5
MINNEAPOLIS NORTH polars 2
Henry beat neighbor North 5-2 in a Minneapolis conference game on Thursday. The Patriots swept the singles and took 3rd doubles to put together their win. Three of the matches went the distance with Henry taking both singles and North taking the doubles. Henry rallied in second and fourth singles falling in the first game and bouncing back to take the last two. North also rallied at first doubles losing the first game before storming back to take the last two.

SINGLES
Normal first singles Yer Yang for Henry missed the event due to prior commitments. Her Replacement Hnia Yang beat Foua Khang in two games. Yang had 11 smashes in the two games as she took advantage of birds Khang was forced to give her. In game one Khang had the early lead at 2-0, but that was the only lead in that game. Yang had four straight points, and didn't look back. Khang was only able to get two side outs in the first game. On the flip side Yang had seven side outs against Khang. Yang used six drops for points in game one including point 21.

Khang again led in game two at 1-0. After a side out Yang ran off six straight points with three smashes in the mix. Khang did close to 9-7. Yang broke free again with six straight points to make it 18-10. Three smashes were part of that six point equation.

photos: #1. Hnia Yang reaches for a drop. #2 Foua Khang reaches for smash attempt. photos by kja.

1st SINGLES BY THE NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Yang 10/16-.625; Khang 6/17-.353
3+ POINT RUNS:
Yang 7, Khang 1
POINTS:
Yang 42
Winners: 30: Smashes 11, Drops 6, Drives 6, Soft Drives 3, Clears 3, Aces 1
Khang Errors 12: hitting 11 (Net 9, wide 1, fan 1); serving 1 (wide 1)
Khang 23
Winners 6: Aces 2, Smashes 1, Drives 1, soft Drive 1, Clears 1
Yang Errors 17: hitting 15 (wide 8, net 7), serving 2 (wide 2)
Time: 12:50 minutes

FIRST DOUBLES
I was able to watch the third game at first doubles. Phoua Khang and Vang Khang picked up momentum on the third service with four straight points to make it 9-4. Hitting errors combined with the North's duo side out game gave Khang and Khang a 21-13.

SINGLES
1. Hnia Yang (H) beat Foua Khang 21-11, 21-12
2. Choua Pha (H) beat Mee Khang 16-21, 21-7, 21-9
3. Maa Pha (H) beat Pa Kou Pha 21-15, 21-10
4. Mena Vue (H) beat Mai Nhia Yang 20-22, 21-13, 21-11
DOUBLES
1. Phoua Khang/Vang Khang (N) beat Neng Vang/See Thao 16-21, 21-18, 21-14
2. Jaime Lee/Amanda Seline (N) beat Kabao Yang/Nhia Xiong 23-21, 21-11
3. Lakresha Williams/Sheng Xiong (H) beat Xue Vang/See Lee 21-11, 21-18

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Henry 4-0 1.000
Games: Henry 8-2 .800
Points: Henry 204-131 .609
decided by 10+: Henry 5-0
decided by 3 or less: North 1-0
DOUBLES
matches: North 2-1 .667
games: North 4-3 .571
points: North 131-127 .508
decided by 10+: 1-1
decided by 3: North 2-1 .667

Next up: tomorrow morning

Out & About: Highland Park/Central

2008-04-16T18:11:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 4.16.2008
badminton news & information

ST. PAUL HIGHLAND PARK scots 4
ST PAUL CENTRAL minutemen 3

Highland Park edged Central 4-3 and it all came down to the last match at 4th singles. HP took the second game by the exact same score as the first in a 21-19 win to beat the visitors. HP took three of the four singles and 2nd doubles to piece together their win. Most contests were over in two sets. The only match that went three games was at second singles with Kari Finseth winning the final set by the narrow margin of 21-19.

FIRST SINGLES
Khoua Xiong beat Yer Chang in two games 21-11 and 21-13.
Xiong used the soft, off speed drive for the first three points of the first game and a potent scoring off her own serve. Chang could not get a side out on any of Xiong's eight serves in game one. Xiong built a lead of 9-3 when Chang had a rally, scoring of two of her serves to cut the margin to 13-8. Xiong finished with an 8-3 run. The soft drive came up for 7 points in the first game.

In game two continued her point gathering on her serve. Chang got her first side out on Xiong's fifth serve. By that time Xiong led 10-5. The favored point in this game was the drop. Xiong also benefited from Chang hitting errors. Most were sailing deep. Xiong pushed her lead out to 19-9. (My scoring indicates game two was 22-12). A missed serve gave the bird back to Chang. She was able to get a few more points. The match ended on a back hand drop shot.

Photos: #1. Khoua Xiong goes airborne for a smash attempt. #2. Yer Chang prepares for a shot. photos by kja

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Xiong 12/18-.667; Chang 3/19-.158
SERVE RUNS OF 3+:
Xiong 3, Chang
POINTS:
Xiong 42
Winners: 26 Soft Drives 10, Smashes 6, Drops 5, Aces 2, Drives 2, Clears 1
Chang Errors 17: hitting 14 (Deep 7, Net 4, Wide 3); serving 3 (wide 2, deep 1)
Chang 24
Winners 12: Soft Drives 4, Clears 3, Drives 2, Drops 2, Aces 1
Xiong Errors 11: hitting 8 (wide 5, net 3), serving 3 (wide 2, deep 1)
Time: 12:30

SINGLES
1. Khoua Xiong (HP) beat Yer Chang 21-11, 21-13
2. Kari Finseth (C) beat Micha Everts 21-14, 14-21, 21-19
3. Elena Kronmiller (HP) beat Ka Yang 21-14, 21-8
4. Nhu Richards (HP) beat Dawn Vang 21-19, 21-19
DOUBLES
1. Melissa Vang/Nitsan Chang (C) beat Pa Kou Lor/Drew Thao 21-17, 21-8
2. Grace Moran/Alison Cole (HP) beat Elizabeth Yang/Bao Lee 21-15, 21-10
3. Mai Sia Yang/Phoua Xiong (C) beat Seng Lee/Pa Ying Moua 21-16, 21-17

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Highland Park 3-1 .750
Games: Highland Park 7-2 .778
Points: Highland Park 180-140 .563
decided by 10+: Highland Park 2-0
decided by 3 or less: Highland Park 2-1
DOUBLES
matches: Central 2-1 .667
games: Central 4-2 .667
points: Central 109-100 .522
decided by 10+: 1-1
decided by 3: 0-0

Next up: tomorrow morning

Out & About: Mpls Southwest/Mpls Roosevelt

2008-04-15T17:53:00.003-05:00

#2 posting 4.15.2008
badminton news & information

MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST lakers 4
MINNEAPOLIS ROOSEVELT teddies 3

I have seen all the teams now. Southwest was the last team on the list and the contest today went down to the wire. The SW doubles pair of Chloe Waryan and Mikayla McNally won game three at third doubles to put the Lakers over the top. Three matches went to three games. Roosevelt tied it up after a marathon third game won by Padao Yang 28-26 over Claire Nelson in game three at fourth singles. Southwest swept the doubles however and added a win at first singles with Madeline Hunsicker for the 4-3 win.

SINGLES
Madeline Hunsicker of Southwest used her height advantage to good effect in a 21-12, 21-9 win over Tania Rojas. This was the only SW win in the singles department, and essential in their 4-3 win. The key factor in this game was the long serve runs by Hunsicker. Both players had similar sideout percentages, but Hunsicker had serve runs of 4, 5, and another 5 in game one. Rojas never got that kind of traction on her serve. Hunsicker used a mix of shots starting off with points off drives. She then used the drops and used smashes when the opportunity presented itself. Hunsicker led 15-7 after her 5th service. Rojas did cut into that lead to 16-11, but Hunsicker, once she got the bird back, scored the last six points to win 21-12.

Hunsicker used the smash more in game two. She didn't quite have as many service runs, but had one monster run of 9 on her fourth service. After she was done with her serve it was 14-5. In that run Hunsicker had 3 smashes for points. Rojas was able to close to 15-7. Hunsicker closed with a 6-2 run to wrap up the win.

photos: #1 Hunsicker reaching to her right for a drop shot. #2. Rojas with a back hand shot. photos by kja

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Hunsicker 6/13-.462; Rojas 6/14-.429
SERVE RUNS of 3+:
Hunsicker 4, Rojas 0
POINTS:
Hunsicker 42
Winners: 25: Drives 9, Drops 8, Smashes 7, Clears 1
Rojas Errors 18: hitting 15 (Net 10, Wide 4, Deep 2, Fan 2)
Rojas 20
Winners 13: Drives 4, Drops 4, Smashes 3, Clears 2
Hunsicker Errors 7: hitting 6 (Wide 4, Fan 1, Net 1), serving 1 (wide 1)
Time: 13:15 minutes

SINGLES
1. Madeline Hunsicker (SW) beat Tania Rojas 21-12, 21-9
2. Tenzing Khendu (R) beat Ashley Bielinski 21-9, 21-13
3. Marisol Rojas (R) beat Karin Hamnes 21-4, 21-14
4. Padao Yang (R) beat Claire Nelson 21-19, 8-21, 28-26
DOUBLES
1. Martha Streng/Alba Bilani (SW) beat Maria Alivilar/Cindy Lee 21-6, 21-9
2. Alyssa Clark/Bridget Johnson (SW) beat Murong Cha/Jenny Vang 21-13, 19-21, 21-16
3. Chloe Waryan/Mikayla McNally (SW) beat Che Thao/Mai Yang Vang 9-21, 23-21, 21-17

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Roosevelt 3-1 .750
Games: Roosevelt 6-3 .667
Points: Roosevelt 162-148 .523
decided by 10+: 2-2
decided by 3 or less: Roosevelt 2-0 1.000
DOUBLES
matches: Southwest 3-0 1.000
games: Southwest 6-2 .750
points: Southwest 156-124 .557
decided by 10+: Southwest 2-1 .667
decided by 3-: 1-1 .500

Next up: tomorrow morning

Monday Results

2008-04-15T13:12:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 4.15.2008
badminton news & information

MONDAY RESULTS
Besides the St. Paul Johnson 5-2 over Eden Prairie, the action was in St. Paul--

Harding beat Arlington 6-1.

Central also won 6-1 with Humboldt the victim.

Highland Park edged Como Park 4-3.

Next up: another out & about---with Southwest, the final team I haven't seen.

Out & About: St. Paul Johnson/Eden Prairie

2008-04-14T20:00:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 4.14.2008
badminton news & information

ST. PAUL JOHNSON governors 5
EDEN PRAIRIE eagles 2

In a non conference match in the suburbs it was the undefeated St. Paul Johnson Governors beating Eden Prairie. Johnson swept the season series with EP. The Govs won the first meeting in St. Paul 6-1. Johnson swept all three doubles, but two of the contests went the full three games. In the singles department Johnson won at second and third. Katie Vohountka at first singles and Alycia Willey at fourth pulled out wins for EP.

Both teams were not a full strength. For Johnson their first singles Pang Thao was gone and so Goly Yang moved up to first singles and Johnson broke up their first doubles team of Kia Thao and Shoua Vang. Thao moved to second singles and Vang was paired up with a new partner--Kou Nou Chang at third doubles. Eden Prairie's first doubles were not in action again. This time it was Becca Wade absent due to illness. Larysa Eteneuer was back from her trip.

FIRST SINGLES
Katie Vohnoutka kept her winning updated with a 21-10, 21-19 win over Goly Yang who had moved up to first singles. Game one Vohnoutka had a side out % of .778. Part of that was the fact that Yang started off with two service errors. The EP Eagle had a 11-4 lead. The game moved into a 8 point trade off. Vohnoutka broke the stalemate with two straight aces after getting the side out on a smash. Vohnoutka ended the night with a 7-2 run.

Game two was much more competitive with Yang adjusting to the size of Vohnoutka. Vohnoutka started off with the first two points. Yang matched her with the next two. Yang took the lead at 8-7 with two straight points. Both players were not in the side out mode. Both were able to squeeze at least one point off the serve. Yang pulled out in front 13-11 with three straight points. After two traded points, Vohnoutka picked up her first side out on Yang's 7th serve. That started a three point run and the EP senior was back in front 15-14. All in all Vohnoutka had a 7-2 run to pull out 19-16. Yang battled back to 20-19 after a clear. Vohnoutka won the contest after a Yang hit sailed deep.

photos: #1. Goly Yang reaches high for a shot. #2. Katie Vohnoutka comes up with a shot on a drop. photos by kja

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Vohnoutka 11/20-.550; Yang 7/20-.350
RUNS OF 3+:
Vohnoutka 6, Yang 1
POINTS:
Vohnoutka 42
Winners: 22: Smashes 9, Drops 5, Clears 4, Drives 2, Aces 2
Yang Errors 20: hitting 16 (Deep 6, Wide 5, Net 5); serving 4 (Short 2, Net 1, Deep 1)
Yang 29
Winners 20: Drives 6, Clears 6, Drops 5, Smashes 3
Vohnoutka Errors 9: hitting 8 (Net 3, Wide 3, Deep 1, Fan 1), serving 1 (short 1)
Time: 12 minutes

SINGLES
1. Katie Vohnoutka (EP) beat Goly Yang 21-10, 21-19
2. Kia Thao (J) beat Nicky Wade 21-12, 21-8
3. Belick Pha (J) beat Zyue Chen 22-24, 26-24, 21-9
4. Alycia Willey (EP) beat Olamade Fudahunsi 21-18, 21-17
DOUBLES
1. Ma Thao Xiong/Sheng Tha (J) beat Samantha Klemp/Heather Blake 21-23, 21-13, 21-17
2. Cha Lor/Hlee Vang (J) beat Morgan Woodrow/Laura Stone 21-13, 21-16
3. Shoua Vang/Kou Nou Chang (J) beat Cailin Hawkins/Victoria Phoung 21-15, 17-21, 21-18

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: 2-2 .500
Games: Eden Prairie 5-4 .556
Points: Johnson 175-161 .521
decided by 10+: Johnson 2-1 .667
decided by 3 or less: 2-2 .500
DOUBLES
matches: Johnson 3-0 1.000
games: Johnson 6-2 .750
points: Johnson 164-136 .544
decided by 10+: 0-0 .500
decided by 3-: 1-1 .500

Next up: tomorrow morning

Friday Results

2008-04-12T10:34:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 4.12.2008
badminton news & information

FRIDAY RESULTS
In the only match scheduled yesterday it was Minneapolis Edison beating host St. Paul Humboldt 4-3 in a 612/651 match. Edison is now 5-2 overall. Humboldt is now 1-4.

next up: the first badminton poll of the year.

Thursday Results

2008-04-11T15:44:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 4.11.2008
badminton news & information

THURSDAY RESULTS
Here is what happened in Minneapolis and St. Paul yesterday

MINNEAPOLIS
I reported on North's 4-3 win over Washburn last night.

In other action South beat Henry 5-2 solidifying South's hold on first place.

Edison beat Southwest 5-2 also staying one game behind South in the race for first.

ST. PAUL
Como Park beat Arlington 4-3.

Conference leader Johnson beat Highland Park 6-1.

Harding swept Central 7-0 staying one game back.

next up: tomorrow

Out & About: Mpls North/Mpls Washburn

2008-04-10T19:07:00.002-05:00

#1 posting 4.10.2008
badminton news & information

MINNEAPOLIS NORTH polars 4
MINNEAPOLIS WASHBURN millers 3

The weather outside was frightful, but badminton is the luckiest of spring sports in that weather doesn't interfere with action. It is raining turning to snow and traffic was crawling along. I made it to Washburn in plenty of time, but it took over an hour to get back home when in should take 30 minutes or less.

As it was the weather was more favorable to North as they swept the doubles and took fourth singles in a 4-3 win. Only one match went three games and that was at third singles. Paris Koehler won the rubber match and rallied from an 18-16 deficit to win 21-19.

FIRST SINGLES
Dani Sack of Washburn won both games by identical 21-6 marks. In game one Sack scored on all five of her serves, and each serve garnered at least two points. On the other end, Sack had a .800 side out percentage holding Foua Khang scoreless on her serve the last four times. Sack used drives for 8 points in game one.

In game two Sack opened with six straight and then on her third serve rattled off 8 more for a 16-3 lead. Sack had two straight aces in the second run. Again Sack prevented Khang from scoring on her serve .800 of the time. The time of the whole match barely made 10 minutes.

OTHER MATCHES
After that I caught the tail end of 1st doubles won by the North pair of Phoua Khang and Vang Khang 21-12. That was an identical score too from game one. After that I moved over to 2nd doubles and it was a bit more competitive with North taking the match 21-17. Then it was off to 3rd singles. That was the most compelling match of the day with the contest going three games. I came in with Washburn's Paris Koehler up 8-7. She held a 13-11 lead when North's Pang Lee ran off four straight to lead 15-13. Koehler tied it at 15 and 16. Lee went up 18-16 when Koehler requested a water break. After the return Lee missed her serve. Koehler scored two more to go back in front 19-18. Lee tied it at 19 on a hitting error. Koehler scored the last three (yes it was 22-19 in my book) with the last two on drops. That match didn't affect the outcome of the match as North headed north into the polar landscape with the win.

photos: #1 Dani Sack advances to the net. #2. North's first singles Foua Khang after a shot. #3. North's 3rd singles Pang Lee reaches for a shot. photos by kja

1st SINGLES BY THE NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Sack 8/10-.800; Khang 3/11-.273
LONGEST SERVE RUNS:
Sack 8, Khang 1
POINTS:
Sack 42
Winners: 21: Drives 11, Drops 4, Aces 3, Clears 2, Smashes 1
Khang Errors 21: hitting 20 (Net 12, Fan 3, Drive 3, Wide 2); serving 1 (deep 1)
Khang 12
Winners 6: Drives 3, Drops 3
Sack Errors 6: hitting 5 (net 2, wide 2, deep 1), serving 1 (deep 1)
Time: 10 minutes

SINGLES
1. Dani Sack (W) beat Foua Khang 21-6, 21-6
2. Maly Yi (W) beat Mee Khang 21-14, 21-12
3. Paris Koehler (W) beat Pang Lee 21-18, 13-21, 21-19
4. Pa Kou Pha (N) beat Sigourney Alexander 21-12, 21-14
DOUBLES
1. Phoua Khang/Vang Khang (N) beat Nicole Weishaar/Xee Vue 21-12, 21-12
2. Jaime Lee/Amanda Seline (N) beat Fartun Hashi/Farhiya Ahmed 21-15, 21-17
3. Xue Vang/See Lee (N) beat Tania Castron-Hernandez/Brenda Campean-Morales 21-10, 21-10

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: North 1-3 .250
Games: North 3-6 .333
Points: North 138-165 .455
decided by 10+: North 0-2 .000
decided by 3 or less: North 0-2 .000
DOUBLES
matches: North 3-0 1.000
games: North 6-0 1.000
points: North 126-76 .624
decided by 10+: North 2-0 1.000
decided by 3-: 0-0

Next up: tomorrow morning

Out & About: Eden Prairie/St. Paul Highland Park

2008-04-09T18:23:00.002-05:00

#2 posting 4.9.2008
badminton news & information

EDEN PRAIRIE eagles 5,
ST. PAUL HIGHLAND PARK scots 2

In a non conference match up it was Eden Prairie beating Highland Park 5-2. Again it was a tight contest with four games going the distance, and the Eagles took all four. EP swept the singles and took first doubles in the win. At 2nd and 4th singles, and 1st doubles the Eagles trailed 1-0 before mounting their comeback. EP was missing Larysa Eteneuer at first doubles so their doubles teams were scrambled. Her partner Becca Wade played an exhibition. Samantha Klemp and Heather Blake moved into the first doubles slot and came up with a comeback win.

FIRST SINGLES
The first singles featured a couple of the better players in the state and both didn't disappoint. Eden Prairie's Katie Vohnoutka, with her strength and length, faced off against cagey and quick Highland Park's Khoua Xiong. As an indication of the quality of the contest today Winners out numbered hitting errors combined 58-49. Vohnoutka used her sonic smash for 14 points on her favorite winners. Xiong's favorite was the drive for 10.

Vohnoutka's smash made it's appearance on points 2 and 3 as she built a 3-0 lead. Vohnoutka lead 8-4 but a 7-3 run tied it up. There were three ties with the last coming at 15. Two smashes by Vohnoutka followed by two Xiong hitting errors put the EP senior up 19-15. The first game ended (if you didn't guess by now) on a Vohnoutka smash.

Xiong jumped out early with a 9-3 run. Xiong was able to score on all of her serves in this game but one. On her fifth serve she ran up six straight as she built up a 15-6 lead. She had an ace in that mix. Xiong was on the verge at 20-9 when Vohnoutka ran off four points on her last serve to make (what I had) 20-14. Drives and drops were featured in her comeback. Xiong won game two when Vohnoutka's serve sailed deep.

Game three was tight early. Nine straight side outs combined indicated the level of play. Xiong led 10-8 after two hitting errors. Vohnoutka tied it with two straight. The last time Xiong led was 13-11. Vohnoutka got a side out with a smash and then had three points off Xiong hitting errors. Xiong tied it at 15, but she served deep to put Vohnoutka at the advantage. That started a 4-0 run with a drop to put Vohnoutka up 19-15. Xiong was able bounce back with three straight. Vohnoutka ended the match with a drive.

However in each of the three games I had different scores compared to what was announced. I had Vohnoutka winning game one 20-17. Xiong winning game two 21-14 and Vohnoutka taking the final 20-18.

photos: #1 Katie Vohnoutka ready to smash. #2. Khoua Xiong with some overhand action of her own. photos by kja

FIRST SINGLES NUMBERS
SIDEOUTS:
Vohnoutka 13/30-.433; Xiong 15/29 .517
SERVE RUNS:
Vohnoutka 4, Xiong 6
POINTS:
Vohnoutka 52
Winners: 34: Smashes 14, Drives 10, Drops 9, Clears 1
Xiong Errors 18: hitting 15 (Net 9, wide 6); serving 3 (wide 2, deep 1)
Xiong 55
Winners 24: Drives 10, Drops 7, Smashes 4, Clears 2, Aces 1
Vohnoutka Errors 31: hitting 28 (net 15, wide 10, deep 2, fan 1), serving 3 (deep 2, wide 1)
Time: 19 minutes

SINGLES
1. Katie Vohnoutka (EP) beat Khoua Xiong 21-17, 12-21, 21-18
2. Nicky Wade (EP) beat Micha Everts 15-21, 21-16, 21-18
3. Zyue Chen (EP) beat Mai Yia Moua 21-7, 21-13
4. Alycia Willey (EP) beat Nhu Richards 15-21, 21-18, 21-15
DOUBLES
1. Samantha Klemp/Heather Blake (EP) beat Pa Kou Lor/Drew Thao 19-21, 21-19, 21-14
2. Grace Moran/Alison Cole (HP) beat Morgan Woodrow/Laura Stone 21-17, 21-18
3. Seng Lee/Pa Ying Moua (HP) beat Cailin Hawkins/Victoria Phoung 21-10, 21-11

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Eden Prairie 4-0 1.000
Games: Eden Prairie 8-3 .727
Points: Eden Prairie 210-183 .534
decided by 10+: Eden Prairie 2-0
decided by 3 or less: Eden Prairie 3-0
DOUBLES
matches: Eden Prairie 1-2 .333
games: Eden Prairie 2-5 .286
points: Eden Prairie 117-138 .459
decided by 10+: Eden Prairie 1-2 .333
decided by 3: Eden Prairie 0-2 .000

Next up: tomorrow morning

Tuesday Results

2008-04-09T09:18:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 4.9.2008
badminton news & information

TUESDAY RESULTS
Here are the latest results
In Minneapolis, Edison edged Henry 4-3 in a battle of favorites for the Minneapolis title.
South, the strong favorite to repeat this year as city champ, beat Southwest 6-1.
North downed Roosevelt 5-2.

In St. Paul I reported on the tighter than the score indicates Central win over Como Park 6-1 last night. Harding swept Humboldt 7-0 and conference leader Johnson beat Arlington 5-2.

In non conference action it was Eden Prairie sweeping Washburn 7-0 and St. Paul Highland Park edging Burnsville 4-3.

In St. Paul the conference race looks like this:
Johnson 3-0
Central 2-0
Harding 2-1
Highland Park 1-1
Arlington 1-2
Como Park 0-2
Humboldt 0-3

Next up: later today with another out & about

Out & About: Central/Como Park

2008-04-08T18:08:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 4.8.2008
Minnesota Badminton News & information

ST. PAUL CENTRAL minutemen 6,
ST. PAUL COMO PARK cougars 1

The spring break is over and Badminton action returned to the courts. Even though the weather outside was cold and more November like, inside the action was heating up. At St. Paul Central it was tight with five matches going the full three game distance. The only matches that were 2-0 came at 4th singles and 3rd doubles, and by the time they took the court Central had four wins. If four points (in the right matches) would have changed the final would have been 4-3 Central. Central came back in two matches after trailing 1-0. Shelly Thao and Ka Neng Vue prevented a Central sweep by taking first doubles for Como Park.

I have now seen 12 of the 16 teams with Johnson, North, Washburn, and Southwest on the to do list.

FIRST SINGLES
This match between the two Yers had rallies, runs, and kept fans on the edge of their seats. Cheng of Central pulled out the last two games to win 2-1. The first two games were split by the identical scores of 21-19.

Cheng had the early advantage in game one 8-4 after a four point serving run. Yang of Como got back in the game by getting three straight side outs against Cheng while scoring on each of her next four serves. A couple of drop points put Yang up 14-11. Yang pushed her lead out to 19-15. Cheng, after getting a key side out, ran off three straight to tie the game at 19. The clear was the favorite winner for Cheng in this game as she tallied four. Yang got the side out on a drive and then took game one on a Cheng hitting error that sailed wide.

Just like in game one Cheng raced out to an 8-4 lead. Yang immediately tied it up with four straight points. The game moved into a side out contest with Yang getting five straight while Cheng picked up four of five. Up to that point Yang would hold a one point advantage and then the game would be tied. That changed when Cheng scored on two hitting errors on her 11th serve. Cheng kept her side out game in high gear closing out the game six straight. The final point came on a clear. The last two Cheng points in game two came on clears.

Game three did not start the same way as the first two. The side out nature of game two, vanished in game three. Only seven combined side outs as opposed to 18 in game two. Cheng had a 4-1 lead, but Yang soon tied it at 4. Yang had an 11-8 advantage after a smash. Cheng regained the lead with four straight points and never gave it up. The game narrowed to 18-17 after two straight Yang points, but a hitting error gave the bird back to Cheng. She had three straight points on her serve. I had a 22-17 finish.

photos: #1 Yer Yang of Como Park. #2 Yer Cheng of Central. photos by kja

SIDEOUTS:
Cheng 16/34-.471; Yang 18/35-.545
SERVE RUNS:
Cheng 4; Yang 3 (twice)
POINTS:
Cheng 61
Winners: 36: Drops 14, Clears 11, Drives 9, Smashes 2
Yang Errors 26: hitting 24 (net 15, wide 8, fan 1); serving 2 (wide 1, fan 1)
Yang 57
Winners 18: Drives 7, Drops 7, Clears 2, Aces 1, Smashes 1
Cheng errors 39: Hitting 35 (wide 18, net 11, deep 4, fans 2); Serving 4: (net 2, deep 1, wide 1)
Time: 27 minutes.

SINGLES
1. Yer Cheng (C) beat Yer Yang 19-21, 21-19, 21-18
2. Kari Finseth (C) beat Nou Fang 21-11, 18-21, 21-12
3. Ka Yang (C) beat Der Xiong 19-21, 21-19, 21-18
4. Dawn Vang (C) beat Shaundra Worrall 21-11, 21-12
DOUBLES
1. Shelly Thao/KaNeng Vue (CP) beat Doua Thao/Da Chang 21-18, 17-21, 22-20
2. Melinda Xiong/Mai Chia Xiong (C) beat Youa Lee/Xue Yang 21-14, 19-21, 21-8
3. Mai Sia Yang/Phoua Xiong (C) beat Bao Vue/Alynda Her 21-19, 21-13

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Central 4-0 1.000
Games: Central 8-3 .727
Points: Central 224-182 .552
decided by 10+: Central 3-0 1.000
decided by 3 or less: Central 4-3 .571
DOUBLES
matches: Central 2-1 .667
games: Central 6-3 .667
points: Central 162-135 .545
decided by 10+: Central 1-0 1.000
decided by 3: Central 1-3 .250

Next up: tomorrow morning

StarTribune Season Preview

2008-04-04T06:35:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 4.4.2008
Minnesota badminton news & information

SEASON PREVIEW
The StarTribune looks at the badminton season underway with the challenges faced by Harding dynasty.

This week has been quiet with schools out, but action takes over again next week.

So far I have seen 10 of the 16 teams. Those that I haven't seen yet include--Mpls North, Mpls Southwest, Mpls Washburn, St. Paul Como Park, St. Paul Central and St. Paul Johnson.

The StarTribune lists the singles players to see, and I have seen all of them.

Next up: next week.

Johnson Tops Harding

2008-03-29T07:51:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 3.29.2008
badminton news & information

JOHNSON TOPS HARDING
St. Paul Johnson beat two time defending champ Harding 4-3 in the St. Paul conference on Thursday. It was the first time Harding has lost in St. Paul in two years.
In other action Highland Park beat Humboldt 5-2.

Everything shuts down for a week now.

next up: next week

Thursday Results

2008-03-28T06:10:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 3.28.2008
badminton news & information

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS (+ MORE)
In Minneapolis South beat Edison 5-2 and Washburn edged Roosevelt 4-3. I am guessing that Southwest did not play Henry. There was a coaching change and the new SW coach had scheduled vacation during this time.
In St. Paul it was Central over Arlington 4-3. No word on the Harding vs Johnson or Highland Park vs Humboldt match ups.
St. Paul Johnson did beat Eden Prairie on Wednesday 6-1.

All schools will be off next week for their spring breaks and so there will be no matches.

next up: tomorrow?

2 Minneapolis Results

2008-03-26T18:19:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 3.26.2008
Minnesota badminton news & information

Yesterday a few Minneapolis teams played
Henry beat Roosevelt 5-2 and
South beat North 6-1.
South is undefeated and same with Henry in the city conference.

I will resume my out & abouts again after Friday.

Next up: tomorrow

Out & About: Harding/Highland Park

2008-03-25T18:58:00.002-05:00

#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.

photos: #1 Khoua Xiong of Highland Park after a return. #2. Mee Xiong of Harding with a back hand. photos by kja

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

Out & About: Eden Prairie/Minneapolis Edison

2008-03-24T19:54:00.002-05:00

#1 posting 3.24.2008
badminton news & information

EDEN PRAIRIE eagles 6, MINNEAPOLIS EDISON tommies 1

Eden Prairie beat Edison in a non conference match in Northeast Minneapolis. EP swept the doubles. Edison's Pa Nhia Xiong was able to take second singles in a three game match despite falling in the first game. EP moved their first JV doubles to 3rd doubles because the regular third doubles team had a member missing.

When I arrived EP was still on the bus trying to get into the building. I was their pathfinder showing them the side door entrance.

FIRST SINGLES
Eden Prairie's Katie Vohnoutka had a clear height advantage over Chu Mai Thao and the smash points indicate that. Thao had a 3-1 lead early in game one after three hitting errors. The game didn't break free for Vohnoutka until her 4th serve where she tacked on three points. Vohnoutka's side out game kept Thao off for four straight serves. Meanwhile Vohnoutka was able to squeeze points off serves 4-8. The EP senior had 8 smashes in game one including the game winner.
In game two Vohnoutka used her side out game to good effect again with seven straight stops for Thao. Vohnoutka shifted from smashes to drops in this game. She had five for points. Vohnoutka had 7 straight points on her serve to go up 16-4. In that sequence Vohnoutka had five winners. At the end of the match there were four straight drops--the first two by Thao, the last two for Vohnoutka. Thao did a better job with side outs in game two, and cut back on errors, but still Vohnoutka added to her margin.

SIDEOUTS: Vohnoutka 13/16 .813; Thao 6/17 .353
SERVE RUNS: Vohnoutka 7, Thao 2
POINTS:
Vohnoutka 42
Winners: 24: Smash 9, Drops 6, Drives 5, Clears 2
Thao Errors 19: hitting 17 (Net 9, wide 4, Drive 2, fan 2); serving 2 (short 1, wide 1)
Thao 19
Winners 6: Clears 3, Drops 2, Drives 1
Vohnoutka Errors 14: hitting 11 (net 6, wide 3, deep 2), serving 3 (wide 2, net 1)

Here is a photo of Edison's Pa Nhia Xiong getting to a drop shot with Alycia Willey in the third game at second singles.

Photos by kja

SINGLES
1. Katie Vohnoutka (EP) beat Chu Mai Thao 21-10, 21-9
2. Pa Nhia Xiong (ME) beat Alycia Willey 13-21, 21-18, 21-16
3. Nicky Wade (EP) beat Ly Vang 21-18, 21-14
4. Janet Stewart (EP) beat Candy Camora 21-5, 21-7
DOUBLES
1. Becca Wade/Larysa Eteneuer (EP) beat Karrie Le/Brenda Vue 21-5, 21-6
2. Morgan Woodrow/Laura Stone (EP) beat Yer Vue/Kia Vue 27-25, 21-19
3. Cailin Hawkins/Victoria Phoung (EP) beat Sara Vue/Ka Bao Xiong 21-8, 21-13

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Eden Prairie 3-1 .750
Games: Eden Prairie 7-2 .778
Points: Eden Prairie 181-118 .605
decided by 10+: Eden Prairie 4-0
decided by 3 or less: 1-1
DOUBLES
matches: Eden Prairie 3-0 1.000
games: Eden Prairie 6-0 1.000
points: Eden Prairie 132-76 .635
decided by 10+: Eden Prairie 3-0 1.000
decided by 3: Eden Prairie 2-0 1.000

Next up: tomorrow morning

Burnsville's Week

2008-03-22T07:56:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 3.22.2008
badminton news & information

BURNSVILLE'S WEEK
The Savage Pacer has more on the Burnsville week with the opening loss to Como Park followed by the win over Arlington on Wednesday.

The Thisweek paper talks about the on-the-job training for this year's crop of players. Only three returning players have varsity experience.

Next up: tomorrow?

Two for Four, or is it Three

2008-03-21T14:39:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 3.21.2008
badminton news & information

There were two reported scores yesterday:

In the Minneapolis conference Edison swept Roosevelt 7-0
The Southwest vs North game was postponed until a later time.
No word on the Henry at Washburn result.

In non conference action it was Eden Prairie over St. Paul Central 4-3.

Next up: later this weekend

Out & About: Postponed

2008-03-20T17:14:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 3.20.2008
badminton news & information

Today I went to Minneapolis North expecting to see Minneapolis Southwest vs North, but there was no Southwest. Apparently the new SW coach is on vacation and will be rescheduling.

Henry beat North on Tuesday (which hasn't been published) 5-2

Also on Tuesday Eden Prairie beat St. Paul Arlington 4-3

more tomorrow

Out & About: Burnsville/St. Paul Arlington

2008-03-19T18:56:00.002-05:00

#2 posting 3.19.2008
badminton news & information

BURNSVILLE blaze 5
ST. PAUL ARLINGTON phoenix 2

Burnsville swept the doubles and took two singles matches in a 5-2 non conference win over St. Paul Arlington. The win that put the Blaze over the top came at third doubles, with second doubles coming in later. The doubles contests were tight, but Burnsville pulled away in games three with margins greater than 10 in second and third doubles.

FIRST SINGLES
This contest went back and forth but Novia Josiah prevailed over Ciara Hogenson in two tight sets 21-18, 21-16. Hogenson led in game one 9-7 after three straight points. Josiah tied it at 10. Hogenson got the side out with a smash for point 11 and added a Josiah hitting error for point 12. Hogenson last lead came at 14-12. Josiah ran off three straight to take the lead with a clear/drop/clear sequence. Hogenson tied it on a Josiah hitting error. The game was tied at 17 when Josiah broke away with a drive to the right sideline followed by two Hogenson hitting errors into the net. Josiah fanned on game point, but got it on another Hogenson hitting error into the net.

Game two had a few more runs. Hogenson led 6-3 with four straight points, 3 on Josiah errors. The second game had more service errors with three total. Hogenson kept the lead until at 9-8 Josiah ran off four straight points, all Hogenson hitting errors. Hogenson tied it at 14 on three straight drives. Josiah finished the game off with a 7-2 run as she was able to squeeze points off her serve while getting the side out on Hogenson's serve.

Yesterday the two set match lasted about 8 minutes. today that was the length of the first game. Overall the match lasted a healthy 17:28.

SIDEOUTS: Josiah 18/24-.750; Hogenson 12/25-.480
SERVE RUNS: Josiah 3, Hogenson 3
POINTS:
Josiah 42
Winners: 25: Drives 13, Clears 6, Drops 3, Smashes 2, Ace 1
Hogenson Errors 17: hitting 16 (Net 12, fan 2, wide 2); serving 1 (wide 1)
Hogenson 34
Winners 21: Drives 11, Smashes 7, Drops 2, Clears 1
Josiah Errors 13: hitting 10 (wide 6, net 2, fan 2), serving 3 (wide 2, net 1)
Time: 17:28

After that match I watched the third game of second doubles. At that point the match it was tied up and Burnsville needed one more win for the victory. The Blaze pair of Lisa Dennis and Soogin Moon established control early on with three straight points thanks to Arlington errors. The lead mushroomed from 3-1 to 14-4 after five Burnsville services. The last was a six point service run with five coming on Arlington errors (three of which were fans). The two split after that 5-5. I only had 19 points at the end for Burnsville.
The same problem as last year--not saying the score loud enough or not being aware of the score is still around.

SINGLES
1. Novia Josiah (A) beat Ciara Hogenson 21-18, 21-16
2. Adrienne Sherman (B) beat Pahoua Yang 21-16, 21-11
3. Claire Weiss (B) beat Kazoua Yang 21-8, 21-15
4. Lee Yang (A) beat Bea Soderholm 21-15, 13-21, 22-20
DOUBLES
1. Amy Lindblad/Natalie Leiker (B) beat Cha Her/Kia Her 21-18, 21-19
2. Lisa Dennis/Soogin Moon (B) beat Nancy Vang/Zee Lue Xiong 23-25, 21-17, 21-9
3. Leah Kolstad/Ashley Kolstad (B) beat Wendy Moua/Hayat Ahmed 20-22, 21-12, 21-8

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: 2-2
Games: Burnsville 5-4 .556
Points: Burnsville 174-148 .540
decided by 10+: Burnsville 2-0 1.000
decided by 3 or less: St. Paul Arlington 2-0 1.000
DOUBLES
matches: Burnsville 3-0 1.000
games: Burnsville 6-2 .750
points: Burnsville 169-130 .565
decided by 10+: Burnsville 2-0 1.000
decided by 3: 2-2

Next up: Tomorrow morning

Monday Minneapolis Results

2008-03-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 3.19.2008
badminton news & information

MINNEAPOLIS RESULTS
I reported on the South sweep over Roosevelt last night.
Also sweeping---Edison over Washburn.

no word on the Henry vs North contest

The known city standings are like this:
team, match record, games record
South 2-0 14-0
Edison 2-0 11-3
Southwest 1-0 5-2
North 0-1 3-4
Roosevelt 0-2 2-12
Washburn 0-2 0-14
Henry 0-0

Next up: Later today with an out & about

Out & About: South/Roosevelt

2008-03-18T19:21:00.000-05:00

#2 posting 3.18.2008
badminton news & information

MINNEAPOLIS SOUTH tigers 7
MINNEAPOLIS ROOSEVELT teddies 0

South swept the host Teddies 7-0 for their second straight Minneapolis conference sweep. South has added Desirae Garcia to their line up. Last year she played 4th singles at St. Paul Johnson. The whole match didn't last that long as Roosevelt has 8 courts and the varsity begins with seven of them. Roosevelt has a new coach in Rodney Lossow. He was a softball coach last year.

FIRST SINGLES
Desirae Garcia served six times total in the the two game match. She had a run of 14 in the first game and two serve runs of 11 and 9. Garcia made use of 11 hitting errors by Tania Rojas in game one. Rojas led 2-1 early before the 14 straight points.
In game two Garcia had 13 winners for the win. The total match took 8:34.

SIDEOUTS: Garcia 3/4 .750; Rojas 1/6 .167
SERVE RUNS: Garcia 14, Rojas 1
POINTS:
Garcia 42
Winners: 24: Aces 2, Clears 2, Drives 8, Drops 5, Smashes 4
Rojas Errors 18: hitting 18 (Wide 12, Fan 4, Wide 2); serving 1 (net 1)
Rojas 5
Winners 0
Garcia Errors 5: hitting 4 (deep 2, wide 2), serving 1 (wide 1)

SECOND SINGLES
Next I followed the action on second singles with the second game of that series. That game head some drama with CeCe Duerney rallying to win game two 21-18. Passang Chozom of Roosevelt lost the first game 21-5. Chozom came out with a 4-1 lead with three drops for winners. Duerney tied the game up at 7 with three straight Chozom hitting errors. Chozom regained the momentum with 7 straight points with four via Duerney hitting errors. I had Chozom up 17-10 when Duerney ran off six straight points, five of which were winners. Duerney closed out the match with a 5-1 run. Chozom had three service errors in game two.

SINGLES
1. Desirae Garcia (S) beat Tania Rojas 21-4, 21-1
2. CeCe Duerney (S) beat Passang Chozom 21-5, 21-18
3. Brett Smith (S) beat Marisol Rojas 21-14, 21-16
4. Jessica Jolson (S) beat Padao Yang 21-4, 21-1
DOUBLES
1. Jackie Heslop/Karen Perault-Bouthton (S) beat Maria Alivilar/Cindy Lee 21-10, 21-8
2. Melissa Ng/Jane Olmstead-Rumsey (S) beat Murong Cha/Jenny Vang 21-15, 21-7
3. Rachel Mammen/Katherine McQuarter (S) beat Che Thao/Mai Yang Vang 21-7, 24-22

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: South 4-0 1.000
Games: South 8-0 1.000
Points: South 168-63 .727
decided by 10+: South 5-0 1.000
decided by 3 or less: South 1-0 1.000
DOUBLES
matches: South 3-0 1.000
games: South 6-0 1.000
points: South 129-69 .651
decided by 10+: South 4-0 1.000
decided by 3: South 1-0 1.000

Como Park Beats Burnsville

2008-03-18T07:25:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 3.18.2008
badminton news & information

MONDAY RESULTS
St. Paul Como Park beat Burnsville 5-2.

That gives St. Paul a 2-0 record yesterday. St. Paul Humboldt beat Mpls Henry 4-3 (check out the out & about).

next up: Later today with another out & about

Out & About: St. Paul Humboldt/Mpls Henry

2008-03-17T21:48:00.003-05:00

#1 posting 3.17.2008
badminton news & information

ST. PAUL HUMBOLDT hawks 4
MINNEAPOLIS HENRY patriots 3

In the opening match for each team it was 651 over 612 with Humboldt taking the top two singles and doubles for the win. Each and every winner finished 2-0. The odd fact was Henry outpointed Humboldt in the singles, but only managed two wins at that level.

It took a while to get back into rhthym. I started out with just one pen, but soon realized the error of my ways and had the trusty red pen out before the end of the first round. Also the terminology or phrases were slow to return. By the second game in the first doubles I was doing better. On top of that I was using a camera for some action shots. It is hard to do all of the action. You won't see photos tonight. I need to get the photos off the clip and apparently need an external hard drive to load all the photos off my main computer.

FIRST SINGLES
Shoua Moua of Humboldt took the first singles 21-12, 21-14. She broke free in the first game with a six straight points to put her in the lead 15-8. Moua sided out in the first game .778. Since my system was flawed I don't have great numbers.
In the second game Henry's Yer Yang, moving up from last year's first doubles, led 4-2. Moua took control with a 6-1 run to go up 11-6. She never trailed after that. Moua in game two was given 12 hitting errors for points, while only giving up 4. The side out game wasn't as strong this time for Moua with a .429 percentage.

Side out %: Moua, Humboldt 10/16-.625; Yang, Henry 5/17-.294

Photo: Shoua Moua of Humboldt with her eye on the bird. photo by kja.

FOURTH SINGLES
Choua Pha of Henry topped Sha Thao 21-10, 21-6. In the first game Pha started off with three straight points, all on drives. Pha got the sideout five straight times on Thao's serve. Hitting errors provided 11 of Pha's points.
In game two Pha continued her same success with the first four sideouts against Thao. By that time it was 14-4 for Pha. Pha only received 8 points on hitting errors in this contest. Pha used drops for five points. Pha concluded the match with six straight points, the second time that game she had six straight.

Side Outs: Pha, Henry 11/13-.846; Thao, Humboldt 4/15-.267
Serve runs: Pha 6
Points:
Pha 42. Winners: 22 (Ace 3, Drives 7, Drops 7, Smashes 4); Thao errors 19 (I only had 20 for the final game.
Thao 15. Winners 4, Pha errors 12

SINGLES
1. Shoua Moua (SPH) def. Yer Yang 21-12, 21-14
2. Shide Vang (SPH) def. Mena Vue 21-7, 21-12
3. Nhia Yang (MH) def. Jeanette Riopel 21-11, 21-10
4. Choua Pha (MH) def. Sha Thao 21-10, 21-6
DOUBLES
1. Mia Chour/Non Yang (SPH) def. Neng Vang/Ka Bao Yang 21-11, 21-6
2. Pha Yang/Mai Der (SPH) def. Nhia Xiong/Mai See Thao 21-7, 21-18
3. Sheng Xiong/Lakresha Williams (MH) def. Miranda Ketchum/Kao Shoua Thao 21-15, 21-12

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Humboldt 2-2 .500
Games: Humboldt 4-4 .500
Points: Humboldt 121-129 .484
decided by 10+: Humboldt 1-4 .200
decided by 3 or less: none
DOUBLES
matches: Humboldt 2-1 .667
games: Humboldt 4-2 .667
points: Humboldt 111-84 .569
decided by 10+: Humboldt 3-0 1.000
decided by 3: Humboldt 1-0 1.000

Next up: tomorrow

Minneapolis Opens Conference Play

2008-03-14T10:33:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 3.14.2008
girls badminton news & information

FIRST RESULTS
I will be getting out after the state basketball tournaments.
Yesterday the first matches of the season took place in Minneapolis.

South shutout Washburn 7-0

Southwest beat Roosevelt 5-2

Edison edged North 4-3

Next week I will be able to get to some matches. Until then, if you have results go to my profile and email me.

next up; When news/results strike

Edison Schedule

2008-03-05T06:31:00.000-06:00

#1 posting 3/5/2008
badminton news & information

EDISON SCHEDULE
Here is the Minneapolis Edison badminton schedule. They open the season on Thursday March 14 when they host North.
Non conference match ups include Eden Prairie and St. Paul Humboldt, plus a triangular with St. Paul Harding and Burnsville.

Next up: tomorrow

Suburban Schedules

2008-03-04T07:22:00.000-06:00

#1 posting 3.4.2008
Minnesota badminton news & information

SUBURBAN SCHEDULES
Burnsville and Eden Prairie remain the only two suburban programs that have badminton squads.

The first match takes place on Monday, March 17 when Burnsville heads to Como Park. EP's first match is the next day at St. Paul Arlington.

next up: tomorrow

Practice Opens

2008-03-03T05:43:00.000-06:00

#1 posting 3.3.2008
Minnesota Badminton News & Information

PRACTICE OPENS
Today is the first day of badminton practice.

The first matches take place on March 25 in St. Paul. Defending champ Harding will be at Highland Park.

Here is the St. Paul Conference schedule.

Next up tomorrow

Crystal Ball

2007-06-21T22:27:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 6.21.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

ALL CONFERENCE
The StarTribune has listed the all conference badminton players in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Which leads us to look to the crystal ball for the future.

There will be new state champions in the singles and doubles titles in 2008 as both champs this year graduate.
In the singles department, Mee Xiong of Harding is the top returner. She finished second to her own teammate Pang Thao. Third place finisher Katie Vohnoutka of Eden Prairie is also returning.
Others to be considered are Shoua Moua of Humboldt, and Khoua Xiong of Highland Park.

The doubles take a big hit with 3 of the top four teams all 2007 grads. The only individual (her teammate graduated) that returns next year is Kia Thao of Johnson.
One pairing will be around for a while---Doua Thao and Da Chang from Central graduate in 2010. They just missed going to the semis with a three game set with Harding's #2 team of Nalee Xiong and Pa Yang. Highland Park also has a duo that will return a pair: Elena Kronmiller and Micha Everts. Also the Como Park pair of Panhia Lor and Shelly Thao return.

Which leads us to the team title. Harding still has plenty of ammunition in their arsenal. Other than Pang Thao they return all their singles next season plus Stephanie King, who wasn't around for the state tournament.

If you have badminton news, let me know

next up: July

State Tournament Improvements

2007-05-30T21:07:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 5.30.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

STATE TOURNAMENT IMPROVEMENTS
It has been a while since the state tournament. I have been thinking of improvements.

The State tournament experience can be enhanced. One change that could be implemented without too much sacrifice is to give a spotlight to the championship matches at both singles and doubles. You could flip to see who goes first.

The way it is set up now attention is divided. Teammates can not cheer each other on. It just doesn't seem that special when eyes are diverted. It may add 15 more minutes to the event, but with the final four coming in on Friday you could run the semis all together, and then the 3rd place contests could go on as the singles championship takes place. Or you could run the 3rd place games and then have the singles and then the doubles championships.

Another way to enhance the experience is to have a scoreboard or flip card scoreboard out. Too often this season I saw games end early and some went late because players lost track of the score. With a scoreboard that responsibility is taken off the shoulders.

Seeding went 1-8 for singles, 1-6 for doubles. That is because, from what I understand, not all coaches send in their records. The seeds should drill down further than six. Also the tournament should be open to the 3s and 4s in singles, 3s in doubles. I saw some #3s this season that were better than some #2s, maybe even #1s. Obviously not all 3s or 4s should get the call.

These minor tweaks can be added without too much problem.

Of course adding more schools to the party would be nice. That is a little bit more of a challenge.

next up: My guess June

Burnsville's Dynamic Duo

2007-05-23T06:26:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 5.23.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

BURNSVILLE'S DYNAMIC DUO
Here is the Savage Pacer report on the State Doubles champs, the Burnsville pair of Michelle Teigland and Lindsey Mortinson. They finished with a record of 16-6.

Next up: a review of the season just past, probably later tomorrow.

State Tournament: Daily Paper View

2007-05-19T06:39:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 5.19.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

STATE RECAPS
Here are the StarTribune and Pioneer Press stories about the individual championship held yesterday at Harding.

Next up: Monday? with a recap and season review.

State Tournament Winners: the Photos

2007-05-18T21:50:00.000-05:00

#2 posting 5.18.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

STATE CHAMPS
Here are the final four pairs with the doubles groups in the back and the singles in front. Lindsey Mortinson and Michelle Teigland of Burnsville (on the left top) were the doubles champs.
Pang Thao of Harding defended her singles title.

This is the Burnsville pair of Lindsey Mortinson and Michelle Teigland---the State champs.
The Harding pair of Dia Xiong and PaNhia Yang were second.

Harding also had another duo---Nalee Xiong and Pa Yang and they finished third in the tournament.
The fourth place finishers are Johnson's Karen Obermeyer-Kolb and Kia Thao

Here is Harding's Pang Thao the two time undefeated state champ. Her teammate Mee Xiong finished second.

Katie Vohnoutka of Eden Prairie finished in third place. Lee Vue of Central took fourth.

This is the All State team.

Next up: Closing thoughts on the tournament later on Monday.

Thao, Mortinson/Teigland Champs

2007-05-18T21:24:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 5.18.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP DAY
Today the Minnesota Badminton championships wrapped up with Harding's Pang Thao taking her second straight singles title. The unseeded pair of Lindsey Mortinson and Michelle Teigland beat the 2, 3, and today the #1 seeds in their march to the championship.

I got to Harding a bit late traffic heading east on 94 at a crawl at some points. I got there just after the first games were finished in the semis.

SINGLES---THAO TERRIFIC
I started with the Mee Xiong vs Katie Vohnoutka battle. Harding's Xiong took game one 21-18. On game two Xiong led early 8-2. Vohnoutka came back on her third serve with four straight services points to cut the margin to 8-7. Xiong did pull back out to a 14-11 lead. At this point Xiong was able to squeeze points on five of her six serves. Vohnoutka finished the contest with a 9-3 run as she converted on her last three serves. The smash game was working as she had seven in this game. Again the counting was off as my notebook had Vohnoutka up 20-17.

In the deciding third game both players were in side out mode with Vohnoutka only getting two points off her first six serves. Xiong had two points off her first five serves. At this stage Xiong held a narrow 8-7 lead. Things started to loosen after that. The game was tied at 14 when Xiong put together a three point run on a couple of Vohnoutka hitting errors 17-14. Vohnoutka came back with three of her own winners including a smash to make it 18-17 Xiong. The key point came on a deep serve to stop Vohnoutka's momentum. Xiong didn't give the bird back and moved on.

In the other semi it was Harding's Pang Thao topping Central's Lee Vue 21-12, 21-17. This was the first time in the tournament Thao had allowed anyone double digits.

In the championship Pang Thao faced off against her teammate Mee Xiong. With Xiong coming off the three game drainer against Vohnoutka she was tired. Thao took advantage of the longer rest time and Xiong's fatigue. Thao had seven serves in the first game and squeezed points off of five of them. Xiong did not get a point off her serve. They all came off of siding out Thao. By the way the score in this game was only 19-7. Again miscounting struck. I don't think it would have changed the outcome however.

Xiong led game two early 4-1 thanks to Thao hitting errors. Thao stopped that with a smash to get the bird back. On Thao's fifth serve she ran off five straight to go up 12-6. At this point in the game the Clear game was Thao's winner with five points. Xiong did cut the margin to five at the closest. Thao finished with a 6-3 run to claim her second straight title.

DOUBLES--UNSEEDED DUO TOPS FIELD
The Doubles tournament was seeded out to the 6th seed. The unseeded Burnsville duo of Lindsey Mortinson and Michelle Teigland had to beat the second seed in the opening round. The Johnson pair of Pang Thao and Pakou Vang didn't get on track as Mortinson/Teigland dominated 21-11, 21-2. That was yesterday.

Today in the semis they took on Johnson's other double team of Kia Thao and Karen Obermeyer-Kolb. This group was the #3 seed. This Johnson doubles team played together all year as a team and were the primary doubles team. (Thao and Vang were singles players paired for doubles only a couple of season matches). It took three games for the Burnsville pair to triumph, and they needed an extra point in game three 13-21, 21-17, 22-20.

That win put them in the finals against the #1 team coming in, the home court duo from Harding, Dia Xiong and PaNhia Yang. Just as in the semis, Mortinson and Teigland lost the first game 21-17. They bounced back in game two 21-18. I was able to come in at this point as the singles championship was over. The first break point came after the game was tied at 6-6. Three Harding hitting errors put Burnsville up 9-6. Xiong and Yang had a four point burst on Harding's seventh serve to go up 11-10. The game was tied at 13 when Burnsville had their 9th serve. Harding never got the bird back as the Blaze was on fire for 8 straight service points. Seven of those points were on Harding hitting error.

With the win Burnsville prevented Harding from sweeping the top honors like last year.

Next up: Photos of the winners.

Photos: Minneapolis City Champs (Late)

2007-05-17T23:57:00.001-05:00

#3 posting 5.17.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

MINNEAPOLIS PHOTOS
Since I didn't attend the Minneapolis city tournament I didn't get the winners up. That is now changed. Here are the Minneapolis City Champs:
The Individual champ was South's Bee Xiong. Xiong was the only Mpls player to make the state quarterfinals today in the individual tournament.

The doubles champs were Choua Yang and Yer Yang of Henry. They were the Henry #2 team during the season but got hot at the right time and won the title. Today they opened with the Harding #2 team of Nalee Xiong and Pa Yang. Harding beat the Minneapolis City champ pair 21-5, 21-16.

#1 photo: Bee Xiong, South
#2 photo: Choua Yang/Yer Yang, Henry

Next up: Later on Friday with the championships at Harding.

Final Four Set

2007-05-17T23:46:00.001-05:00

#2 posting 5.17.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

FINAL FOUR SET
The final four have been set for the individaul portion of the state tournament.
Harding has four of the eight spots covered in singles and doubles.

SINGLES
Defending Champ Pang Thao of Harding is still standing. She won all three contests today and never allowed double digits. She will face #5 Lee Vue of Central in the semis. Vue had a mild upset win over #4 Khoua Xiong of Highland Park. Xiong was the second place finisher in the St. Paul City tournament last week.
On the bottom half of the bracket it was #2 Katie Vohnoutka of Eden Prairie punching her ticket for the semis with three wins. She allowed double digits twice during the three games. She will cross rackets with #3 Mee Xiong of Harding.

In the round of 32 there were 3 games that went the distance out of 16. Only one game went to 3 in the sweet 16. That was Shoua Moua of Humboldt's win over Ye Thao of Johnson

DOUBLES
The #1 Harding pair of Dia Xiong and PaNhia Yang moved on with three wins, all 2-0. They will face another Harding duo Nalee Xiong and Pa Yang. Those two are the #4 seed. They had to go three games in the quarters against Doua Thao and Da Chang of Central.
In the bottom bracket, in the upset of the day unseeded Lindsey Mortinson and Michelle Teigland of Burnsville bumped off #2 seeded Pang Thao and Pakou Vang of Johnson 21-11, 21-2. They will play the other Johnson squad of Kia Thao and Karen Obermeyer-Kolb. The Johnson pair were seeded #3. Thao and Obermeyer-Kolb were the #1 doubles team for Johnson most of the season. Vang spent most of the year as #1 singles while Thao was #2 singles.

In the doubles there was only one game that went the distance in the round of 32. The sweet 16 round had four games go the distance in the most competitive round of the day. Thao and Obermeyer-Kolb beat Central's Xiong Xiong and Tracy Vangh in three in the Sweet 16. In the quarters it was Nalee Xiong and Pa Yang of Harding going the full extent against the Central duo of Doua Thao and Da Chang.

SINGLES
ROUND OF 32
Pang Thao, Harding def Lee Fang Como Park 21-7, 21-9
Nha Phan, Central def Nadvia Davis, North 21-9, 21-12
Ye Thao, Johnson def Cha Her, Arlington 28-26, 21-18
Shoua Moua, Humboldt def Martha Streng, Southwest 18-21, 21-12, 21-13
Khoua Xiong, Highland Park def Ma Xiong, South 21-7, 21-10
Gabby Alvarez, Burnsville def Passang Chozom, Roosevelt 21-2, 21-4
Lee Vue, Central def See Vang, Edison 21-9, 21-12
Maddie Lenhard, Eden Prairie def. Mai Vang Vang, Henry 21-4, 21-14
Katie Vohnoutka, Eden Prairie def. Kao Lee Xiong, Johnson 21-5, 21-13
Der Xiong, Como Park def. Lisa Thao, Henry 16-21, 21-19, 21-15
Pam Vang, Arlington def Mekka Clark 21-5, 21-4
Chue Mai Thao, Edison def. Ia Thao, Humboldt 21-4, 21-3
Mee Xiong, Harding def. Danielle Sack, Washburn 21-5, 21-5
Astia Rope-Batker, Southwest def. Rina Maezato, Washburn 21-15, 18-21, 21-16
Bee Xiong, South def Jennifer Kieffaber, Burnsville 21-10, 21-9
Khou Yang, Highland Park def Tenzin Norden, Roosevelt 21-13, 21-10
SWEET 16
Pang Thao, Harding def. Nha Phan, Central 21-9, 21-6
Shoua Moua, Humboldt def Ye Thao, Johnson 21-17, 22-24, 21-15
Khoua Xiong, Highland Park def Gabby Alvarez, Burnsville 21-19, 21-18
Lee Vue, Central def Maddie Lenhard, Eden Prairie 21-15, 21-11
Katie Vohnoutka, Eden Prairie def. Der Xiong, Como Park 21-8, 21-6
Pam Vang, Arlington def. Chue Mai Thao, Edison 21-5, 21-9Mee Xiong, Harding def. Astia Rope-Batker, Southwest 21-11, 21-7
Bee Xiong, South def. Khou Yang, Highland Park 21-7, 21-10
QUARTERFINALS
Pang Thao, Harding def. Shoua Moua, Humboldt 21-4, 21-6
Lee Vue, Central def Khoua Xiong, Highland Park 21-14, 22-20Katie Vohnoutka, Eden Prairie def. Pam Vang, Arlington 21-15, 21-10
Mee Xiong, Harding def. Bee Xiong, South 22-20, 21-10

DOUBLES
ROUND OF 32
Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang Harding def Amy Lindblad/Natalie Leiker, Burnsville 21-14, 21-5
Kablia Her/Kia Her, Arlington def Ly Vang/Karrie Lee, Edison 21-17, 21-8
Vang Lee/PaNhia Lee, Highland Park def. Karen Pernault-Boughton/Jackee Heslop 21-8, 21-7
Sheng Yang/Mai Chor Lee, Humboldt def. Anna Yarbrough/Maya Adler, Southwest 21-11, 21-10
Nalee Xiong/Pa Yang, Harding def. Yer Yang/Choua Yang, Henry 21-5, 21-16
Mai Tia Yang/MaiKha Vang, Como Park def. Phoua Khang/Vang Khang, North 21-12, 21-13
Becca Wade/Larysa Euteneuer, Eden Prairie def. Mai Vang/Xee Lee, Washburn forfeit
Doua Thao/Da Chang, Central def Pa Lor/Cindy Lee, Roosevelt 21-9, 21-4
Lindsey Mortinson/Michelle Teigland, Burnsville def. Pang Thao/Pakou Vang, Johnson 21-11, 21-2
Kaitlin Shore/Krista Anderson, Eden Prairie def. Mallory Brand/Tania Rojas, Roosevelt 23-21, 21-15
Kosaizee Yang/Mai Xiong Vang, Arlington def Mai Chia Yang/Yer Yang, Henry 21-17, 21-10
Elena Kronmiller/Micha Everts, Highland Park def. Jennifer Harrop/Monticha Putha-Wong 21-8, 21-9
Kia Thao/Karen Obermeyer-Kolb, Johnson def Debbie Hulbert/Kiara Nelson, North 21-11, 21-13
Xiong Xiong/Tracy Vangh, Central def. Abbie Knudtson/Alba Bilani, Southwest 21-18, 21-7
Panhia Lee/Shelly Thao, Como Park def. Jane Olmstead-Romse/Melissa Ng 13-21, 23-21, 21-17
PaNhia Xiong/Julie Lor, Edison def. Nou Yang/Youa Yang, Humboldt 21-15, 21-15
SWEET 16
Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang Harding def Kablia Her/Kia Her, Arlington 21-9, 21-10
Sheng Yang/Mai Chor Lee, Humboldt def. Vang Lee/PaNhia Lee, Highland Park 21-15, 16-21, 21-19
Nalee Xiong/Pa Yang, Harding def. Mai Tia Yang/MaiKha Vang, Como Park
Doua Thao/Da Chang, Central def. Becca Wade/Larysa Euteneuer, Eden Prairie 23-21, 19-21, 21-16
Lindsey Mortinson/Michelle Teigland, Burnsville def. Kaitlin Shore/Krista Anderson, Eden Prairie 21-3, 21-7
Elena Kronmiller/Micha Everts, Highland Park def. Kosaizee Yang/Mai Xiong Vang, Arlington 21-8, 21-9
Kia Thao/Karen Obermeyer-Kolb, Johnson def Xiong Xiong/Tracy Vangh, Central 21-11, 17-21, 21-14
Panhia Lee/Shelly Thao, Como Park def. PaNhia Xiong/Julie Lor, Edison 21-16, 22-24, 21-18
QUARTERFINALS
Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang Harding def Sheng Yang/Mai Chor Lee, Humboldt 21-12, 21-11
Nalee Xiong/Pa Yang, Harding def. Doua Thao/Da Chang, Central 21-19, 19-21, 21-16
Lindsey Mortinson/Michelle Teigland, Burnsville def. Elena Kronmiller/Micha Everts, Highland Park 21-15, 21-10
Kia Thao/Karen Obermeyer-Kolb, Johnson def Panhia Lee/Shelly Thao, Como Park 21-16, 21-16

Next up: photos

Individuals Start Today

2007-05-17T07:53:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 5.17.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

TEAM TOURNAMENT REVISITED
Here is the reports from the StarTribune and Pioneer Press on Harding's team tournament win.

Today the action shifts to the individual side of things. #1 seeds in the singles is Harding's Pang Thao. The #1 seed in the doubles is Harding's Dia Xiong and PaNhia Yang.
There are 8 seeds in the singles; 6 seeds in the doubles.
Action starts at Harding at 3 pm. The semis and finals are Friday at Harding.

Next up: report on day one

The Photo Edition

2007-05-16T23:33:00.001-05:00

#3 posting 5.16.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

2007 STATE CHAMPION
ST. PAUL HARDING KNIGHTS

Here are the 2007 Minnesota State Champions from St. Paul Harding. This is the 6th title overall and fifth in six years.

Photo #1 is number one singles Pang Thao of Harding. She is undefeated for the last two seasons, and also won the St. Paul City title last week. Photo #2 is Harding's number one doubles pair of Dia Xiong and Panhia Yang. They also were City champs in St. Paul last week.

Next up: tomorrow the individual state tournament begins.

Harding Team Champs

2007-05-16T20:40:00.001-05:00

#2 posting 5.16.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

HARDING STATE CHAMPS AGAIN
St. Paul Harding picked up their second consecutive state title as they beat St. Paul Central in the semis 7-0 and then Eden Prairie 6-1 in the finals at Burnsville this afternoon. Eden Prairie, the #3 seed edged #2 Johnson 5-2 in the semis.

I will post the scoring and some individual highlights.
SEMIFINALS #1
HARDING knights 7, CENTRAL minutemen 0
Central was able to push Harding to three at third singles and third doubles, but Harding had a convincing win. In the singles Harding had five games decided by 10 or more with Pang Thao holding Lee Vue to single digits. At third singles Kazoua Yang went three for Harding and bounced back with a strong performance in game three 21-7. The third doubles team of Mor Xiong and Alana Yang suffered a sound beating in game two 21-8 but bounced back for a narrow 21-18 win in game three.
SINGLES
1. Pang Thao (H) def Lee Vue 21-6, 21-9
2. Mee Xiong (H) def Nha Phan 21-15, 21-5
3. Kazoua Yang (H) def Yer Chang 21-11, 19-21, 21-7
4. Crystal Yang (H) def Xiong Thao 21-18, 21-12
DOUBLES
1. Dia Xiong/Panhia Yang (H) def Tracy Vangh/Xiong Xiong 21-17, 21-9
2. Nalee Xiong/Pa Yang (H) def. Doua Thao/Da Chang 21-12, 21-8
3. Mor Xiong/Alana Yang (H) def. Ka Yang/Alexis Lor 21-14, 8-21, 21-18

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 4-0 1.000
Games: Harding 8-1 .889
Points: Harding 187-104 .643
decided by 10+: Harding 5-0
decided by 3 or less: 1-1
DOUBLES
Matches: Harding 3-0 1.000
games: Harding 6-1 .857
points: Harding 134-99 .575
decided by 10+: Harding 2-1 .667
decided by 3: Harding 1-0

SEMIFINAL #2
EDEN PRAIRIE eagles 5, JOHNSON governors 2
Johnson's plan going in was to sweep the doubles and pick off a single match. EP swept the singles and also took a tight three game set at first doubles to advance to the finals. Katie Vohnoutka for EP steamrolled Ye Thao in game one allowing five total points in two games. The tightest contest in the singles came at third with lefty Jenna Hartkopf going three with Gina Garcia. Garcia took game one, but Hartkopf took the next two.
SINGLES
1. Katie Vohnoutka (EP) def Ye Thao 21-2, 21-3
2. Maddie Lenhard (EP) def Kao Lee Xiong 21-19, 21-5
3. Jenna Hartkopf (EP) def Gina Garcia 20-22, 21-19, 21-14
4. Leslye Suarez (EP) def Desire Garcia 21-13, 21-16
DOUBLES
1. Becca Wade/Larysa Euteneuer (EP) def Pakou Vang/Pang Thao 16-21, 21-18, 21-18
2. Karen Obermeyer-Kolb/Kia Thao (J) def Kaitlin Shore/Krista Anderson 21-12, 21-7
3. Mai Ka/Belick Pha (J) def. Morgan Woodward/Laura Stone 21-18, 21-19

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Eden Prairie 4-0 1.000
Games: Eden Prairie 8-1 .889
Points: Eden Prairie 188-113 .625
decided by 10+: Eden Prairie 3-0 1.000
decided by 3 or less: Eden Prairie 2-1 .667
DOUBLES
Matches: Johnson 2-1 .667
games: Johnson 5-2 .714
points: Johnson 141-114 .553
decided by 10+: Johnson 1-0
decided by 3: 2-2

3rd PLACE
JOHNSON governors 4, CENTRAL mintuemen 3
Johnson's strategy paid off in the third place game with a sweep at the doubles and picking off fourth singles for the narrow 4-3 win. The first two doubles had a pair of three game matches. Both started off with 22-20 wins for Johnson. Both finished with 21-14 wins. The third doubles also were tight with two two point wins for the pair of Mai Ka and Belick Pha. Desire Garcia took the fourth singles 21-10, 21-12. The fourth game to come in though was first doubles.
SINGLES
1. Lee Vue (C) def Ye Thao 18-21, 21-11, 21-18
2. Nha Phan (C) def Kao Lee Xiong 21-13, x-21, 21-15
3. Yer Chang (C) def Gina Garcia 21-19, 21-14
4. Desire Garcia (J) def. Xiong Thao 21-10, 21-12
DOUBLES
1. Pakou Vang/Pang Thao (J) def. Tracy Vangh/Xiong Xiong 22-20, 19-21, 21-14
2. Karen Obermyer-Kolb/Kia Thao (J) def. Doua Thao/Da Chang 22-20, 16-21, 21-14
3. Mai Ka/Belick Pha (J) def. Ka Yang/Alexis Lor 22-20, 21-19

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Central 3-1 .750
Games: Central 6-4 .600
Points: since I don't have one score I am leaving it blank
decided by 10+: 1-1
decided by 3 or less: Central 2-1
DOUBLES
Matches: Johnson 3-0 1.000
games: Johnson 6-2 .750
points: Johnson 164-149 .524
decided by 10+: none
decided by 3: Johnson 4-0

CHAMPIONSHIP
HARDING knights 6, EDEN PRAIRIE eagles 1
Harding swept the doubles and took the first three singles in their second straight championship. There were some interesting matches. At first singles Pang Thao was pushed into extra points in game one by Katie Vohnoutka 23-21. Vohnoutka led 20-19, but Thao got the side out on a serve that went wide. After that it was advantage Thao as she scored on a drive to Vohnoutka's back hand. Third Doubles also went to extra points with Mor Xiong and Alana Yang pulling out the win. Just like Pang Thao they had a wider margin in game two. The only game that went three was at first doubles with Dia Xiong and Panhia Yang bouncing back in game three with a 21-16 win. Leslye Suarez was the only EP player to cross over into the left hand column with a two game win.
SINGLES
1. Pang Thao (H) def. Katie Vohnoutka 23-21, 21-11
2. Mee Xiong (H) def. Maddie Lenhard 21-9, 21-11
3. Kazoua Yang (H) def. Jenna Hartkopf 21-10, 21-12
4. Leslye Suarez (EP) def. Crystal Yang 21-15, 21-9
DOUBLES
1. Dia Xiong/Panhia Yang (H) def. Becca Wade/Larysa Euteneuer 21-11, 15-21, 21-16
2. Nalee Xiong/Pa Yang (H) def. Kaitlin Shore/Krista Anderson 21-11, 21-17
3. Mor Xiong/Alana Yang (H) def. Morgan Woodward/Laura Stone 24-22, 21-14

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 3-1 .750
Games: Harding 6-2 .750
Points: Harding 152-116 .567
decided by 10+: Harding 4-1 .800
decided by 3 or less: Harding 1-0 1.000
DOUBLES
Matches: Harding 3-0 1.000
games: Harding 6-1 .857
points: Harding 144-112 .563
decided by 10+: Harding 2-0 1.000
decided by 3: Harding 1-0 1.000

I am happy to report all the scores matched today.

Next up: later tonight with photos. and I will have individual games of Vohnoutka vs Ye Thao and Vohnoutka vs Pang Thao later.

Final Four Set

2007-05-16T05:23:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 5.16.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

FINAL FOUR SET
The Top four seeds all advanced to the semifinals today at Burnsville.

#1 Harding I reported on yesterday.

They will be facing #4 Central. Central beat Washburn 7-0 in the Sweet 16 round and then eliminated Highland Park in the quarters 5-2. That was the closest quarterfinal score. HP beat Central 4-3 on May 1.
Highland Park made it to the quarters with a 5-2 win over Como Park.

Eden Prairie beat Burnsville 6-1 in the quarters. It was the third meeting between the two teams and second win in a row for EP. Last week EP won 4-3.

The only upset in the sweet 16 round was #10 Humboldt's 4-3 win over #7 South. Humboldt then faced Johnson in the quarters and were swept 7-0. Johnson had earlier swept Southwest.

So today at Burnsville at 4 pm for the semis it will be #1 Harding vs #4 Central and #2 Johnson vs #3 Eden Prairie crashing the St. Paul schools. The Finals will follow. I should be there close to four.

Next up: the finals later today.

Harding Starts its Quest

2007-05-15T18:51:00.000-05:00

#2 posting 5.15.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

STATE TEAM RESULTS
I wasn't able to get out today so here are the results as they come in.

Defending Champion Harding swept through the first two rounds and advanced to the semis tomorrow at Burnsville.
Harding opened with a 7-0 win over Roosevelt in a match with the #16 seed.
Arlington topped Edison 5-2 in the other "sweet 16" game. Arlington was the #8 seed.

Harding swept Arlington 7-0 in the quarters to move on.
It was Harding's third win over Arlington this year. Arlington managed to take a game off Harding in the first time they met.

At Eden Prairie #6 Burnsville beat #11 Henry 6-1. This was third time Burnsville played Henry and it was the first time Henry took a game off the Blaze. The win for Henry came at second singles with Lisa Thao picking up the win. Henry's second double pair of Yer Yang and Choua Yang went to three and dropped the final game 22-20. Yang and Yang were the Minneapolis City Doubles champs.
#3 Eden Prairie swept North 7-0.

Next up: tomorrow morning.

Team State Tournament Starts today

2007-05-15T07:01:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 5.15.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

I don't have the schedules for today's games, but The StarTribune says the action will be at Burnsville for the quarters. I don't think so. I know it will be at Burnsville tomorrow. I think the high seeds will be hosting. That should be Harding, Johnson, and two more Highland Park, Eden Prairie and Central among the candidates. I would call before heading out to any of the sites.

Next up: later today?

State Tournament Week

2007-05-14T05:51:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 5.14.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

STATE TOURNAMENT WEEK
The State tournament begins this week. On Tuesday the top four seeds will host the what in effect are two rounds including one quarterfinal.

I don't have the seeds, but I will assume #1 is Harding. The rest of these will be speculation. These are not official.
2. Johnson
3. Highland Park
4. Eden Prairie
5. St. Paul Central
6. Burnsville
7. Arlington
8. South
9. Como Park
10. Edison
11. Washburn
12. Henry
13. Humboldt
14. Southwest
15. North
16. Roosevelt

The semifinals and finals are on Wednesday at Burnsville. The individual portion of the state tournament are set for Thursday and Friday at Harding.

next up: when I have details on the Tuesday matchups.

St. Paul City Singles Results

2007-05-12T09:25:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 5.12.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

Here is more on Burnsville's match which they lost 5-2 to Highland Park. From the This Week paper in Burnsville.

Here are the St. Paul City Singles matches. I put the Doubles results up yesterday. Event in Red. Winners in Bold.

FIRST ROUND
Khou Vang, Highland Park
Ye Thao, Johnson

Shiny Vang, Humboldt
Der Xiong, Como Park

Ling Wang, Arlington
Ashley Wandrick, Como Park

Shoua Moua, Humboldt
PaNhia, Highland Park

Ia Thao, Humboldt
Desire Garcia, Johnson 23-19* my count; 21-12

Xiong Thao, Central
PaKou Vang, Johnson

Kazoua Yang, Harding
Goa Feng Thao, Humboldt

Novia Josiah, Arlington
Nha Phan, Central 21-5, 21-6

Stephanie King, Harding
Cha Her, Arlington

Lee Fang, Como Park
Vang Lee, Highland Park

Lee Vue, Central
Mai Yer Xiong, Como Park

Yer Chang, Central
Gina Garcia, Johnson

SWEET 16
Pang Thao, Harding 21-9, 21-13
Ye Thao, Johnson
Der Xiong, Como Park
Ling Wang, Arlington

Mee Xiong, Harding
PaNhia, Highland Park

Desire Garcia, Johnson
PaKou Vang, Johnson

Khoua Xiong, Highland Park
Kazoua Yang, Harding

Nha Phan, Central
Stephanie King, Harding 21-15, 21-9

Pam Vang, Arlington
Lee Fang, Como Park

Lee Vue, Central
Gina Garcia, Johnson

QUARTERFINALS
Pang Thao, Harding
Ling Wang, Arlington

Mee Xiong, Harding
PaKou Vang, Johnson

Khoua Xiong, Highland Park 20-20? (my count); 21-17, 21-18
Stephanie King, Harding

Pam Vang, Arlington
Lee Vue, Central

SEMIFINALS
Pang Thao, Harding 21-14, 21-7 (15, 6 by my count)
Mee Xiong, Harding

Khoua Xiong, Highland Park 18-21, 21-15, 21-19
Lee Vue, Central

3RD PLACE
Mee Xiong, Harding 21-14, 21-19
Lee Vue, Central

CHAMPIONSHIP
Pang Thao, Harding 21-7, 21-7 (18-7 my count)
Khoua Xiong, Highland Park

If you have scores that you have and would like to update the list above send them to me. Go to the profile and email me.

Next up: tomorrow

St. Paul Doubles Bracket

2007-05-11T10:12:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 5.11.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

ST. PAUL WRAP
Here are the double results, Round, and Winners

First Round
Pang/Kao-John
Jeanette/PhaHoua-Hum

Kablia/Kia-Arl
MaiKa/Belick-John

Wendy/MaiSee-Arl
Misha/Elena-HP

Sheng/MaiChor-Hum
Ka/Alexis-Cen

Khou/Nou-Como
Kosaizee/Mai-Arl

SWEET 16
Dia/PaNhia, Harding
Pang/Kao Johnson

Nou/Youa, Humboldt
Doua/Da, Central

Tracy/Xiong, Central
MaiKa/Belick, Johnson

Alison/Grace, Highland Park
Panhia/Shelly, Como Park

Nalee/Pa Harding
Maikha/Mai Tia Como Park

Mor/Alana Harding
Misha/Elena Highland Park

Karen/Kia Johnson
Ka/Alexis Central

Bee/PaKou Highland Park
Kosaizee/Mai Arlington

QUARTERFINALS
Dia/PaNhia, Harding
Doua/Da, Central

Tracy/Xiong, Central
Panhia/Shelly, Como Park

Nalee/Pa Harding
Misha/Elena Highland Park

Karen/Kia Johnson
Kosaizee/Mai Arlington

SEMIFINALS
Dia/PaNhia, Harding 21-9, 21-11
Panhia/Shelly, Como Park

Nalee/Pa Harding
Karen/Kia Johnson 21-14, 21-17

3rd PLACE
Panhia/Shelly, Como Park
Nalee/Pa Harding 21-14, 21-18

CHAMPIONSHIP
Dia/PaNhia, Harding 20-22, 21-19, 21-14
Karen/Kia Johnson

Two time city champ Pang Thao has a feature in the Pioneer Press.

LAKE
Eden Prairie beat Burnsville in the Lake conference championship yesterday 4-3. From the Savage Pacer.

Next up: tomorrow with the St. Paul Singles table.

Out & About: St. Paul Championships Day 2

2007-05-10T21:43:00.000-05:00

#2 posting 5.10.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

ST. PAUL CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY 2

Harding swept the top honors today with Pang Thao taking the singles title and the duo of Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang taking the doubles title.

SINGLES
SEMIFINALS
In the semifinals #1 Pang Thao faced her own teammate Harding's #2 Mee Xiong who was seeded #4. Thao won 21-15, 21-6.

The first game was more of a battle with Thao taking an early 4-1 lead. Mee Xiong took a 10-7 lead on her fifth serve with four staight service points. All the points, including the previous side out were all on Thao hitting errors. Thao captured the lead on her 7th serve with four straight service points 15-11. A missed serve gave the bird back to Xiong. Both players traded side outs. Xiong broke the pattern as Thao had a net error to tighten the game to 16-14. Thao ended that with a smash. She finished up with a 5-1 run to win 21-15.

Game two ended up 21-6, but the game featured longer rallies that game one. Too give you an indication it was an average of 10.89 seconds per point in game one, 12.67 in game two. Another big difference in this game was the side out %. Thao checked in with 80% to 16.7% for Xiong. Thao had runs of five and six to push the game out to 18-4. Xiong added two points before the close.

Oddly enough both games were off by one each time for Xiong in the official book.

SIDEOUTS:
Thao 10/14 .714; Xiong 6/16 .375
SERVE RUNS:
Thao 4 (longest 6); Xiong 1 (4)
POINTS:
Thao 42. Winners 28: Drives 14 (soft 8); Smashes 7; Clears 4; Drops 3
Xiong Errors 14: hitting 14 (Net 12, Wide 2)
Xiong 21: Winners 4: Drives 3, Smashes 1
Thao Errors 17: hitting 14 (Wide 7, Net 7); Serving 3: (wide 2, net 1)
TIME: 12:14; Average Rally: 11.65 seconds.

In the other semi it was Khoua Xiong of Highland Park edged Lee Vue of Central in three. In the third game Xiong led at all breaks after taking a 3-2 lead. Xiong went up 19-14 on her 10th serve. Vue stormed back with four straight (including the side out) to tie the game. Xiong broke the tie on a drive for the side out. Xiong finished with a drive for the win.

FINALS
Thao won both games 21-7 and 21-7 (or 18-7) for the championship. Thao led from start to finish. She opened game one with a 4-0 lead. She scored on all her serves but her third. Thao's sideout game was strong too at 6/7. This was over in 4:33 meaning the average rally was 9.75 seconds.

Game two ended a lot more quickly because the scoring again was off---this time for Thao by three. I had 18-7 when the game ended. I think the problem came when Xiong had to stop to tie her shoe. After action resumed the score had inflated. Even with the shoe incident the average rally was 10.36,
Highland's Khoua Xiong is the loudest singles player around. On every play that goes for point for the opponent it is "good ups!"

SIDEOUTS:
Thao 11/13 .846; Xiong 4/14 .286
SERVE RUNS:
Thao 6 (longest 5); Xiong 0
POINTS:
Thao 39* (my charting). Winners 28: Drives 10 (6 soft); Aces 6 (short 4, deep 2); Drops 6; Clears 3; Smashes 3
Xiong Errors 11: hitting 11 (Net 9, Wide 2)
Xiong 14: Winners 9: Drops 6, Drives 2, Clears 1
Thao Errors 5: hitting 3 (Wide 2, net 1); Serving 2: (wide 1, net 1)
TIME: 8:52; Average Rally: 10.04 seconds.

DOUBLES
Since both championships were going on simultaneously I didn't get to see all of the action between the Harding pair of Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang vs. the Johnson duo of Karen Obermeyer-Kolb/Kia Thao. Johnson took the first game 22-20. Harding's pair had to win twice and they got a tight 21-19 win in game two. Xiong and Yang finished game three with a 21-14 win.

Next up: tomorrow.

A Bit of This and That

2007-05-10T05:53:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 5.10.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

The big event today is the St. Paul City championships. Action again takes place at St. Paul Central. St. Paul runs a consolation side to the tournament too. Minneapolis did not---it was one and done on the west side of the river.

Burnsville's 5-2 loss to Highland Park is covered in the Savage Pacer.

Next up: later today with the St. Paul championship results.

Out & About: St. Paul City Day 1

2007-05-09T21:12:00.000-05:00

#2 posting 5.9.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

ST. PAUL CITY TOURNAMENT---day 1

Today the St. Paul City tournament got underway at Central and there are four players left.
In the singles the four left are:
Pang Thao, Harding
Mee Xiong, Harding
Khoua Xiong, Highland Park
Lee Vue, Central

The doubles that are left include:
Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang Harding
Shelly Thao/Panhia Lee Como Park
Pa Yang/Nalee Xiong, Harding
Karen Obermeyer-Kolb/Kia Thao, Johnson

I was happy to get there on time. There were 10 courts with all teams providing four singles players and three doubles teams. I spent most of the day on court W3 where the singles games were taking place.
The first match up was Desirae Garcia vs Humboldt. Garcia took the first game 23-19. 23? according to my book that is what it was. Humboldt led 19-16 when Garcia got a side out and then rolled off six straight. Of the last seven points five were hitting errors.
The second game went a little quicker with Garcia taking it 21-12. She broke it open on her 7th serve with 8 straight points to make it 16-10. That run started off with two fans on Garcia's serve. A clear ended it.

The second contest that took over was Nha Phan of Central vs. Novia Josiah of Arlington. Phan steamrolled her way through this contest with a 21-5, 21-6 victory. Phan scored on each and every serve in game one. Each serve had a run of six or four. The smallest run was two on her Phan's first serve.
Phan was held scoreless on two serves, but the runs were still big. The biggest was a seven run on Phan's third serve.

Next up was a "sweet 16" round with #1 Pang Thao of Harding vs Ye Thao of Johnson. Pang had the early advantage in game one as she sprinted to a 10-1 lead after her second serve. Pang was held scoreless on two of her seven serves. Pang sided out over Ye at 50% (3/6). Pang won 21-9.
Game two started off with another roll by Pang. She opened with six straight and followed that up with four more on the second serve to lead 10-2. Ye fought back and closed to two points, the last time at 15-13. A Pang drop got the side out and she never let Ye get the serve back. Pang had five straight to close the game 21-13.

Pang Thao won her quarterfinal over Ling Wang of Arlington. She will see teammate Mee Xiong who beat Pakou Vang of Johnson in her quarterfinal.

In another "sweet 16" game it was Harding's third singles player, Stephanie King vs. Central's Nha Phan. Phan took an early lead at 3-0, King soon took advantage of Phan hitting errors to take a 5-4 lead. King broke free with three points on her 10th serve. The first two in that burst were aces. Phan closed to 16-13. King countered with another string of three counting the side out. King made use of the 11 hitting errors to win 21-15.
The second game started off with both players tightly bunched. King broke the game wide open with 8 straight service points on her 6th serve to take a large 16-6 lead. Phan got to 17-9, but King closed out with the last four points 21-9. Phan had 10 errors for King points in this game.

In the quarterfinals it was King again, this time against Khoua Xiong of Highland Park. King had maybe finished her game with Phan about 15 minutes earlier.
The first game had back and forth action with Xiong taking the early advantage at 3-0. King matched her and the game was tied at 3, King did take a 10-8 lead, but Xiong went on a 9-1 run to lead 17-11. Xiong's drop game was working overtime with 8 points at this point. King started her comeback with three straight. Xiong had a smash that handcuffed King for point 18 and then another drop for 19. King held off Xiong with three points, all Xiong hitting errors. A King hitting error gave the bird back to Xiong. King's aggressive smash got the side out and then she added two points to finish the game. One problem---I only had it 20-20. Nevertheless it was King up 1-0.

King had the early advantage and led by a couple at the breaks 6-4, 10-8. Eventually she had a three point run on her 7th serve to take a 14-10 lead. Xiong hitting errors provided 7 of the 14 points at this time. Xiong had a run of four on her 8th serve to take a 17-15 lead. Xiong maintained the lead the rest of the game. The only points King scored after that were drives on side outs. Xiong finished with two service points to make it 21-17.

King was dehydrated and took a longer break between game two and three. It didn't rejuvenate her though. Xiong jumped out to a 14-3 lead with 10 straigth points on her fourth serve. Both players had traded side outs at that point. Xiong used a variety of shots to grab the lead. Xiong put the game on the verge at 19-8. King found her second wind at this stage. She got a side out and then made use of three Xiong hitting errors to close to 19-12. A missed serve gave the bird back to Xiong. King sided out with a drop and then had five straight service points to make it 20-18. A deep bird by King ended it for a 21-18 win for Xiong. This was the last contest of the day and all eyes were there.

Next up: tomorrow morning.

Highland Drops Burnsville

2007-05-09T05:44:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 5.9.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

Highland Park bumped off Burnsville 5-2 in a non con game yesterday.

The day before, in late St. Paul action, Harding swept Highland 7-0. Johnson bounced back from Friday's loss with a 6-1 win over Como Park.

Today St. Paul starts their city tournament. I believe it is at Central. I will try to get there. I figure half a loaf is better than no loaf.

Yesterday Minneapolis had their city championships. I reported (second hand) on the results. There was confusion on what day the event was going to take place, I thought I heard Wednesday. It was Tuesday. Here are the champs:
Singles: Bee Xiong, South; 2nd: Chui Mai Thao, Edison
Doubles: Yer Yang/Choua Yang, Henry (2nd team); 2nd: Julie Lor/PaNhia Xiong, Edison. This was an upset.

Next up: Later tonight with a report on the St. Paul City championships.

Minneapolis City Finals

2007-05-08T21:55:00.000-05:00

#2 posting 5.8.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

MINNEAPOLIS CITY TOURNAMENT
Bee Xiong of Minneapolis South won the singles title with a 2-0 win over Chui Mai Thao of Edison. Xiong beat Lisa Thao of Henry in the semis 21-16, 21-18. While Chu Mai Thao beat South 2 22-20, 20-22, and 21-12.

The doubles side had upsets galore. The eventual winners were Henry's #2 team of Yer Yang/Choua Yang . They are sisters. They beat Roosevelt's #1 team in the semis in three games and then bumped off Edison's #1 team of Julie Lor/PaNhia Xiong in the finals 21-16, 18-21, 21-18. The Edison duo reached the finals with a win over the South #1 team of Karen Perault-Boughton/Jackie Heslop.

Not hearing when the event was taking place, I did not attend. My sources were quiet today.

Next up: Tomorrow morning.

One Result

2007-05-08T05:32:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 5.8.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

MONDAY RESULTS
St. Paul still had a few games left on their schedule. Arlington dropped Humboldt 6-1. No word on Como at Johnson or Highland at Harding.

Why no Out & About? my sub schedule this week takes me to 3 pm. The best I could get to the contests would be 3:30, too late to see the action which starts at 3:15.

It is still unclear wether Minneapolis will hold their city tournament on two days or just one day. It is scheduled for two days starting today at Edison, but their is a testing day that the coaches wanted to avoid and with rally scoring the coaches thought they could wrap things up in one day.

next up: tomorrow.

Conference Title Week

2007-05-07T05:47:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 5.7.2007
your first source for your daily dose of badminton news & information

WEEK AHEAD
This is the last week of individual team match ups. The big events this week will be the city championships for both Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The Minneapolis tournament will be held on ONE DAY. I believe it is on Wednesday to avoid a test of some sort. I have listed both days as it was originally on the schedule.
Monday, May 7
Como Park at Johnson
Highland Park at Harding
Humboldt at Arlington
Tuesday, May 8
Burnsville vs. Highland Park
Minneapolis City Tournament at Edison
Wednesday, May 9
St. Paul City Tournament at Central
Minneapolis City Tournament at Edison
Thursday, May 10
St. Paul City Tournament at Central
Burnsville at Eden Prairie

The State Tournament team and individual titles will be decided next week. Seeds should be ready by Friday, May 11.

The favorites for the titles
MINNEAPOLIS
singles: Bee Xiong, South
doubles: Julie Lor/Panhia Xiong Edison
ST. PAUL
singles: Pang Thao, Harding
doubles: Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang Harding

If you have news or scores email me & I will get them up.

Next up: tomorrow morning

Burnsville's Week to Come

2007-05-05T07:03:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 5.5.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

I already wrote about the Central 4-3 win over Johnson yesterday. I have not seen the results for Como Park and Humboldt.

The Burnsville Blaze beat Roosevelt earlier in the week. The Savage Pacer has the Blaze week past and week to come. They also have State tournament information. Seeds are out on May 11.

next up: Monday

Out & About: Central/Johnson

2007-05-04T21:03:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 5.4.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

ST. PAUL CENTRAL minutemen 4
ST. PAUL JOHNSON governors 3

Central pulled a mild upset with a 4-3 win at Johnson. Central took the first three singles and, in the pivotal game, took the third doubles in three 21-19, 14-21, and 21-10. The win snapped a three game winning streak for Johnson. Central is now 7-6 on the year, and 4-4 in 4-3 games. it was Johnson's fourth loss of the year. The Governors are 5-2 in 4-3 games.

Johnson rearraigned their line up moving their first and second singles (Pakou Vang, and Pang Thao) to first doubles. The rest of Johnson's doubles dropped down a spot. Their third singles, Ye Thao, moved up to first singles with the rest of the squad also moving up. The strategy was to sweep the doubles, but in the first game Ka Yang and Alexis Thao squeeked out a 21-19 win. The Johnson pair of Yang and Pha took the second game, but fell behind and the game snowbaled on them as Central bounced back with the 21-10 win.

FIRST SINGLES
Lee Vue from Central swept Ye Thao. Thao started game one with three straight points. Vue got rolling with points on her second and third serves. Vue ran off five straight on her third serve to take an 8-4 lead, including two aces on which Thao fanned. Vue kept earning her points in the first game. She only got two points off Thao errors. Vue built the lead out to 18-9 with a pair of drives and a drop. Thao had most of her points in the first game on Vue gifts. Thao only had four winners. Thao had a 5-1 run with four gifts from Vue to trail 19-14. Vue had a drive for the side out 20-14 and then the pair was shaking hands. Another in the mystery point wins.

Vue maintained the momentum with the game one win with six straight points to open game two. Thao fought back and closed to 10-8 with four services points on her fourth serve. Vue was again delivering error points, this time three. Vue put some distance between herself and Thao at 14-10, but Thao was siding out on 6 of 7 serves. Thao ran off four points on 8th serve to go up 17-15. Three side outs later it was 18-17 for Thao. Vue snapped her point drought on her serve with a clear and hitting error to take a 19-18 lead. Thao sided out to tie it, but then served deep to turn the bird back over. Vue took the contest on a Thao net hitting error 21-19.

SIDEOUTS:
Vue 11/18 .611; Thao 9/19 .474
SERVE RUNS:
Vue 3 (6 points), Thao 2 (4)
POINTS:
Vue 41: Winners 24: Drives 12 (2 soft); Drops 4, Aces 3, Clears 3, Smashes 2
Thao Errors 17: hitting 12 (Wide 5, Net 3, Deep 3, Ceiling 1); Serving 5 (Deep 5)
Thao 33. Winners 10: Drops 4; Drives 3; Smashes 2; Clears 1
Vue Errors 23: hitting 23 (Net 15, Wide 8)
TIME: 17:48
* I only had Vue winning the first game 20-14

FOURTH SINGLES
This was an odd game with a big delay in game two and another short changed point total in game three. Desirae Garcia was the only Johnson single player to claim victory.

Central's Xiong Thao had the better of it in game one as she was able to score on five of her six serves. On serve four she ran off four to go up 10-6. Garcia closed to 12-11, but then the roof caved in as Thao served out with 8 in a row.

After the break Garcia came back with a cleaner game. In game one she handed 12 points to Thao. In game two she limited that to six. Garcia raced out to a 7-2 lead with a pair of smashes. Garcia continued to push out to a 10-4 lead, when Thao had to leave the court for a break. A few minutes later she came back, but the delay did not slow Garcia's momentum. Garcia was able to side out on six of the seven Thao serves in game two. Garcia finished up with a drop to the back hand side for a 21-7 convincing win.

Garcia came out strong again in game three with a 4-1 lead after her first two serves. Vue rallied to take a 5-4 lead with three straight serves on her second serve. Garcia bounced right back to lead 9-6. Vue tied it at 10 with an ace on her fifth serve. Three straight drops by Garcia put her back in front 13-10. Vue tied it at 14. Garcia edged back in front 17-14 with a smash. Vue came back with two hitting error points to make it 17-16. Three side outs later it was over at 19-17??? Another miscounted game, but Garcia was ahead and won the contest.

SIDEOUTS:
Garcia 11/23 .478; Thao 8/22 .364
SERVE RUNS:
Garcia 4 (5 points), Thao 3 (8)
POINTS:
Garcia 51*: Winners 34: Drops 13; Drives 8 (1 cut); Clears 8; Smashes 4; Ace 1
Thao Errors 17: hitting 11 (Net 6, Wide 3, Fans 2); Serving 6 (Deep 4, Wide 2)
Thao 45. Winners 13: Smashes 4, Aces 3, Drives 3, Drops 2, Clears 1
Garcia Errors 32: hitting 31 (Net 10, Wide 10, Deep 6, Fan 5); Seving 1 (deep)
TIME: 28:32
* I only had Garcia winning 19-17 in game three.

SINGLES
1. Lee Vue (C) def Ye Thao 21-14, 21-19
2. Nha Phan (C) def Kao Lee Xiong 21-8, 21-14
3. Yer Chang (C) def Gina Garcia 21-13, 21-14
4. Desirae Garcia (J) def Xiong Thao 11-21, 21-7, 21-17*
DOUBLES
1. Pakou Vang/Pang Thao (J) def Tracy Vangh/Xiong Xiong 21-15, 21-16
2. Karen Olbermery-Kolb/Kia Thao (J) def. Dua Thao/Da Chang 18-21, 21-14, 21-16
3. Ka Yang/Alexis Thao (C) def. Mai ka Yang/Belick Pha 21-19, 14-21, 21-10
*not what I had

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Central 3-1 .750
Games: Central 7-2 .778
Points: Central 171-135 .559
]decided by 10+: Central 2-1 .667
decided by 3 or less: Central 1-0 1.000
DOUBLES
Matches: Johnson 2-1 .667
games: Johnson 5-3 .625
points: Johnson 152-138 .524
decided by 10+: Central 1-0 1.000
decided by 3: Central 2-0 1.000

Next up: tomorrow morning

Thursday Game Results

2007-05-04T08:23:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 5.4.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

YESTERDAY RESULTS
MINNEAPOLIS ACTION
Besides the South/Henry game I reported on last night, Washburn beat North 4-3.

ST. PAUL
Highland Park beat Arlington 4-3.

NON CON
Burnsville swept Roosevelt for the second time this year 7-0.

Next week the individual championships in the city conferences will take place. St. Paul will hold their tournament on the 9th and 10th at Central.
Minneapolis will hold their tournament on one day, but it is unclear if it is Tuesday or Wednesday. Action will be at Edison.

next up: later today another Out & About.

Out & About: South/Henry

2007-05-03T19:38:00.001-05:00

#2 posting 5.3.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

MINNEAPOLIS SOUTH tigers 5
MINNEAPOLIS HENRY patriots 2

Minneapolis South beat Henry 5-2 and in so doing tied with Edison for the city championship. South beat Edison twice on the season and has the edge in tie breaks. South lost to North and Southwest when they didn't have their full roster. Henry won the first meeting between the two teams 4-3.
South swept the singles and did so with 2-0 sweeps at three spots. At third singles CeCe Durney lost game one by a narrow three point margin, and then she stormed back for solid 21-10, 21-14 wins in two and three. Henry took the first two doubles. South squeeked out a two point win twice at third singles.

South has all the varsity going at once that is why you only see the first singles today.

FIRST SINGLES
South's Bee Xiong bounced back from yesterday's game with Harding's Pang Thao with convincing wins over Lisa Thao. Xiong will probably be seeded one in the upcoming Minneapolis City tournament. Xiong drew first blood in game one on her third serve. Her first two serves were serving errors. On Xiong's fourth serve she had four straight points including two aces. Thao tied it up at 9 with her own run of three on her fifth serve. That was Thao's last points off her serve. Xiong was able to get the next three Thao serves sided out. It was 14-11 when Xiong ran off six straight to go to the verge at 20-11. Xiong had five winners in that run including two drops and two smashes (or one punch). A Xiong missed serve gave the bird back to Thao. Xiong got the final point on a smash for a 21-12 win in game one.

Xiong used that momentum for a 9-1 lead. She had eight straight points on her second serve, six of them winners. Xiong got points off every serve except on the first. Thao also was able to draw blood on her serves, but she never had the huge run that propelled Xiong on to victory. This game was another in the miscounted category as both players ended with Xiong up 20-12. The miscounting has been a constant feature of this year's games. It didn't change the outcome in this game. Louder score calling and players having the courage to correct the score would also help.

SIDEOUTS:
Xiong 8/14 .571; Thao 5/15 .333
SERVE RUNS:
Xiong 4 (8); Thao 2 (3)
POINTS:
Xiong 41*: Winners 27: Drops 10; Smashes 5; Drives 4 (soft 3); Clears 4; Aces 4 (2 short);
Thao Errors 14: hitting 12 (Net 6, Wide 4, Fan 2); Serving 2 (Deep 1, Wide 1)
Thao 24. Winners 10: Drives 6 (5 soft); Drops 3; Smash 1
Xiong Errors 14: hitting 9 (Net 5, Wide 3, Deep 1); Serving 5 (Deep 3, Wide 2)
TIME: 11:45
* game ended 20-12 in game two.

SINGLES
1. Bee Xiong (S) def Lisa Thao 21-12, 21*-12
2. Ma Xiong (S) def 21-11, 21-18
3. CeCe Durney (S) def 18-21, 21-10, 21-14
4. Jessia Jolson (S) def 21-18, 21-19
DOUBLES
1. Yer Yang/Mai Chia Yang (H) def Karen Perault-Boughton/Jackie Heslop 21-16, 25-27, 21-11
2. Yer Yang/Choua Yang (H) def Katherine McQuarter/Rachel Mamen 21-14, 21-17
3. Melissa Ng/Jane Olmsted-Rumsey (S) def Dia Lee/Bao Xiong 21-19, 24-22

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: South 4-0
Games: South 8-1 .889
Points: South 186-135 .579
decided by 10+: South 2-0 1.000
decided by 3 or less: South 3-1 .750
DOUBLES
Matches: Henry 2-1 .667
games: Henry 4-3 .571
points: Henry 150-130 .536
decided by 10+: Henry 1-0 1.000
decided by 3: South 3-0 1.000

Next up: tomorrow morning

Late Results

2007-05-03T07:13:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 5.3.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
I reported yesterday on the battle between the leaders of the two conferences won by Harding 7-0 over South.
No word on Eden Prairie and Washburn.

LATE RESULTS
Harding beat Como Park and Johnson beat Humboldt by identical 7-0 scores on Tuesday.

If you have results, send them to me & I will post them.

today's big battle is in Minneapolis again with South hosting Henry. Both are tied for the city lead with Edison.

Next up: tonight with an out & about.

Out & About: Harding/South

2007-05-02T21:23:00.000-05:00

#2 posting 5.2.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

ST. PAUL HARDING knights 7
MINNEAPOLIS SOUTH tigers 0

South is tied for the Minneapolis city lead and they went east to Harding to face the leaders in St. Paul. And it was a Hard Days Knight for the Tigers as Harding swept in convincing fashion. Harding won all matches 2-0 and the closest any South player got was at third doubles with Melissa Ng/Jane Olmsted-Rumsey getting 15 points in the second game against Mor Xiong/Mai Ngia Xiong.
After the contest both teams shared food in a pot luck feed.

FIRST SINGLES
Pang Thao put on a solid performance at first singles holding Bee Xiong to only one point off a Xiong serve. Thao forced five side outs of the six Xiong serves. It was the runs Thao had on her third and sixth serve that broke the game open. Thao had three straight points with drives to make it 8-2. On Thao's sixth serve she ran off six straight to make it 17-5. On point 13 Thao had a back hand cut for a point.

In game two Thao started off with a 4-0 run. Then Xiong ran off four to tie the game. Xiong took an 8-7 lead on a soft drive side out on Thao's serve. Thao broke the game open with six straight on her sixth serve (again) to go up 16-9. The last five were all off Xiong hitting errors. Xiong closed to 16-11, but Thao got the side out on a tight waterfall drop. Somewhere along the line Thao wasn't given a point because when the dust had settled I had Thao winning 22-12.

Thao's footwork and balance put her at an advantage throughout the match. Xiong was having to cover more of the court.

SIDEOUTS:
Thao 9/13 .692; Xiong .400
SERVE RUNS:
Thao 6 (longest 6); Xiong 1 (3)
POINTS:
Thao 43* (my charting). Winners 23: Drives 12 (2 soft, 1 handcuff); Drops 4, Smashes 3; Aces 2; Cuts 1; Clears 1
Xiong Errors 20: hitting 17 (wide 9, Net 8); Serving 3 (Deep 1, Wide 1, Net 1)
Xiong 19: Winners 6: Drives 3 (2 soft); Drop 1; Smash 1, Clear 1
Thao Errors 13: hitting 13 (Wide 7, Net 6)
TIME: 12:23

THIRD SINGLES
Stephanie King had big runs on her second and fourth serve in her win over CeCe Durney. King had 8 points on her second serve. Again at the fourth serve King had another run of seven.

King started the second game with an ace in which Durney took a tumble. King didn't start her big run in this game until serve three with nine straight points. A missed serve gave the bird back to Durney. King had a bird driven right at her and her defensive reaction saved the point on point 19.

SIDEOUTS:
King 8/10 .800; Durney 3/11 .273
SERVE RUNS:
King 3 (longest 9); Durney: none
POINTS:
King 42: Winners 26: Drives 7 (handcuffs 2, back hand 1); Clears 5; Drops 5; Aces 4; smashes 4; cut 1
Durney Errors 16: hitting 14 (Net 9, Wide 4, Deep 1); Serving 2 (Net 2)
Durney 11: Winners 3: Drives 3
King Errors 8: hitting 5 (Net 2, Wide 2, Deep 1); Serves 3 (Wide 2, Net 1)
TIME: 11:11

SINGLES
1. Pang Thao (H) def Bee Xiong 21-7, 21-12
2. Mee Xiong (H) def. Ma Xiong 21-8, 21-8
3. Stephanie King (H) def CeCe Durney 21-5, 21-6
4. Kazoua Yang (H) def Jessia Jolson 21-14, 21-7
DOUBLES
1. Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang (H) def Karen Perault-Boughton/Jackie Heslop 21-9, 21-11
2. Pa Yang/Nalee Xiong (H) def Katherine McQuarter/Rachel Mamen 21-13, 21-10
3. Mor Xiong/Mai Ngia Xiong (H) def Melissa Ng/Jane Olmsted-Rumsey 21-10, 21-15

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 4-0
Games: Harding 8-0
Points: Harding 168-67 .715
decided by 10+: Harding 6-0
decided by 3 or less: none
DOUBLES
Matches: Harding 3-0
games: Harding 6-0
points: Harding 126-68 .649
decided by 10+: Harding 4-0
decided by 3: none

South will play Henry tomorrow at South. If South wins they will be the city champ by virtue of their two wins over Edison.

Next up: tomorrow morning

Thin Results

2007-05-02T06:49:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 5.2.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

MINNEAPOLIS RESULTS
I reported on the Edison 4-3 win over Henry last night. Also yesterday North beat Roosevelt 5-2. South and SW had already played their match.

In St. Paul it was Highland Park dropping Central 4-3. No word on Harding and Como Park and Johnson and Humboldt.

Burnsville has four games left on their schedule. Their doubles team of Michelle Teigland and Lindsey Mortinson is 9-3.

No word on Washburn and Burnsville.

If you have results and send them to me, I will post them.

Next up: later tonight.

Out & About: Edison/Henry

2007-05-01T21:04:00.000-05:00

#2 posting 5.1.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

MINNEAPOLIS EDISON tommies 4
MINNEAPOLIS HENRY patriots 3

There is a three way tie for first place in Minneapolis with Edison's 4-3 win over Henry. Edison beat Henry for the second time this year. South has beat Edison twice this year. Washburn has thrown a wrench into Edison's and Henry's W/L mark. and North handed South a loss. Edison is done with their conference schedule. Henry will face South on Thursday.

Now, as has been true all year, scores were off. I don't think it is my duty to correct the action. No one asks me. It hurt Henry today. First off in the battle of the Thao sisters in the second game I had Lisa (Henry) winning at 22-20. But they didn't have the score correct on the floor. Chui Mai (Edison) had a 3-0 run to finish 23-21 officially, but I had it 23-22.

But it was at 3rd singles that it really impacted the match. Everyone was finished and it was 3-3. In the third game I had Nhia Yang up 21-19, but the game continued on. Kalia Thao outscored Yang 4-1 to finish officially 24-22 (23-22 in my book). With that win Edison won the match.

FIRST SINGLES
This was the battle of the Thao sisters. Lisa is a senior at Henry. Chui Mai is a Junior at Edison. Mai Chu had problems with her serve with seven serving errors in the first game. Chui Mai brok free from a 6-6 tie to go up 10-6 on her 6th serve with four straight points including one ace. Lisa was not able to side out and Chui Mai milked points on her next three serves. Chui Mai won the first game 21-11.

In game two Lisa broke free with a six point burst on her fifth serve to take a 13-4 lead. Lisa ended her serve with a deep serve. That was the opening Chui Mai needed and she ran off five points on her serve to close to 13-10. Lisa held a 16-12 lead , but on Chui Mai was able to squeeze points on her next two serves and tied it at 16. Chui Mai pushed in front 19-18 and was on the verge at 20-19, but Lisa held it off and scored the next three points. That, in my book remember made it 22-20 Lisa. Both players were quoting the wrong score way earlier than this. Lisa again ended her own service with a deep serve. Two hitting errors later Chui Mai walked off the court with a win.

SIDEOUTS:
Edison 13/19 .684; Henry 11/21 .524
SERVE RUNS:
Edison 4 (longest 5); Henry 1 (6)
POINTS:
Edison 43. Winners 18: Drops 10, Drives 3 (1 soft); Clear 2, Aces 2, Smashes 1
Henry Errors 25: hitting 20 (Net 13, Wide 5, Fan 2); Serving 5 (Deep 3, Wide 1, Net 1)
Henry 33: Winners 10: Drops 6, Smash 1, Ace 1, Clear 1, Drives 1
Edison Errors 23: hitting 16 (Net 9, Wide 4, Fan 2, Drive 1); Serving (Wide 5, Drive 1, Net 1)
TIME: 16:15

THIRD SINGLES
The first game between Kalia Thao of Edison and Hnia Yang of Henry was the side out game as both players had 7 straight side outs. Thao was able to get a point here and there to get ahead 13-8. Thao pushed it up to 17-11. Hitting errors played a huge part in this first game with Thao handing 12 points to Yang and Yang handing 8 to Thao. Thao took the first game 21-15.

In game two Thao jumped out 7-3 and 10-4. That is when Yang picked up her game. Both players were street brawlers. Yang again took advantage of Thao errors--this time 18. Yang only had four winners, but won the game 22-18 (again I am putting out my score).

It was the vital game three that the miscount really mattered, and it happened early in the game. Yang started off with a 3-0 lead and maintained that out to 12-6. Thao eliminated some of her mistakes to close to 17-16. Yang got a side out with a Thao hitting error. Then put down a back hand clear for 19-16 lead (in my books remember). Thao came back with two straight points. Yang got the side out on a hitting error to make it 20-18. A drive by Thao made it 20-19. Then a hitting error in the net made the score 21-19 Yang. The match should have been over. It wasn't. Both traded points. Thao finished the night with three straight points to get the 24-22 win (23-22 in my book).

SIDEOUTS:
Thao 24/39 .615; Yang 24/40 .600
SERVE RUNS:
Thao 1 (longest 3); Yang 1 (3)
POINTS:
Thao 62. Winners 25: Drops 13, Drives 7 (1 soft); Clears 3, Ace 1, Smash 1
Yang Errors 37: hitting 29 (Net 11, Wide 9, Fan 8 Deep 1); Serving 8 (Deep 4, Net 2, Wide 2)
Yang 59: Winners 20: Drops 8, Drives 6, Clears 3, Ace 1, Smash 1, ? 1
Thao Errors 39: hitting 30 (Net 21, Wide 5, Fans 3, Deep 1); Serving 9 (Wide 5, Deep 3, ? 1)
TIME: 28:13

SINGLES
1. Chui Mai Thao (E) def Lisa Thao 21-11, 23-21
2. Mai Vang (H) def See Vang 12-21, 21-8, 21-11
3. Kalia Thao (E) def Hnia Yang 21-15, 18-21, 24-22
4. Padao Yang (H) def Kia Vue 21-13, 21-9
DOUBLES
1. Julie Lor/Panhia Xiong (E) def Yer Yang/Mai Chia Yang 21-17, 21-17
2. Yer Yang/Choua Yang (H) def Ala Xiong /Brenda Vue 21-11, 21-14
3. Karrie Lee/Ly Vang (E) def. Dia Lee/Bao Xiong 21-17, 21-12

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: 2-2
Games: 5-5
Points: Henry 186-169 .524
decided by 10+: Henry 3-1
decided by 3 or less: Edison 2-1
DOUBLES
matches: Edison 2-1 .667
games: Edison 4-2 .667
points: Edison 109-105 .509
decided by 10+: Henry 1-0
decided by 3: none

Next up: tomorrow morning

Individual State Tournaments at Harding

2007-05-01T08:38:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 5.1.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

MONDAY RESULTS
ST. PAUL
I reported on Harding's sweep over Arlington last night. In other action Central beat Humboldt and Highland Park beat Como Park by identical 6-1 scores.

MINNEAPOLIS
Edison swept Southwest 7-0 in a game that was scheduled for Thursday.

NON CON
Eden Prairie beat South 5-2 in a non con battle.

STATE TOURNAMENT NEWS
The Individual state tournament will be held at Harding again this year on May 17 & 18. This has been changed from Eden Prairie.

If you have boxes send them to me & I will get them up.

next up: tonight another out & about.

Out & About: Harding/Arlington

2007-04-30T18:57:00.000-05:00

#2 posting 4.30.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

ST. PAUL HARDING knights 7
ST. PAUL ARLINGTON phoenix 0

Harding picked up their 11th win, and their 7th shutout with a 7-0 sweep of Arlington. The Phoenix drop to 4-9 on the year. It was the first time they were shut out. Harding was perfect 2-0 at the singles. The only game that Arlington won was at second doubles in the second set. The tightest games took place at second singles with Stephanie King moving up from third singles to fill in for Mee Xiong who was out due to illness. King won a pair of squeakers 22-20 and 23-21 over Ling Wang who earlier in the year was the first singles for Arlington. King may miss the state tournament due to a Model UN event in Washington DC.

I usually come to the badminton events with my rickety blue folding stool. Today I was provided with luxurious comfort with a cushy padded chair to watch the contests. The only thing that was missing was a bowl of chips and a cup holder for an ice cold Diet Coke.

FIRST SINGLES
Pang Thao continued on her quest for another state championship. She had command of the game and looked like she was working on different shots in her arsenal. Thao raced to a 10-2 lead with her patented short serve to the backhand side going for two aces. Pam Vang did rally by holding Thao scoreless for two serving rotations while converting on two of three of her own serves. Vang closed to 12-8. After a Thao sideout drop, she ran off four straight with a couple of clears. Both players sided out three times before Thao finished up with two straight on her serve with a drop the game winner 21-10.

Thao again started off strongly going up 10-3 with a run of five on her fourth serve rotation. Thao had three smashes for points at this juncture. Vang got a side out with a Thao hitting error and then ran off six straight points. She delivered a couple of her own short ace serves and also had a back hand drive for a point. After her serve it was 11-10 Thao. Vang used a smash to side out and then had two points on her serve to take a 13-11 lead. After that Thao finished with a 10-3 run. Thao delivered points on her last three serves. On her 8th serve rotation Thao had four straight points and was on the verge at 20-15. Vang held off with a clear and Thao finished with her own side out on a drop 21-16.

SIDEOUTS:
Thao 11/15 .733; Vang 5/16 .313
SERVE RUNS:
Thao 4 (longest 6); Vang 1 (6)
POINTS:
Thao 42. Winners 27: Drops 8, Clears 8, Smashes 5, Drives 3 (2 short), Aces 3 (3 short)
Vang Errors 15: hitting 15 (Net 8, Wide 5, Deep 2)
Vang 26: Winners 14: Drives 6 (2 short), Clears 2, Drops 2, Smashes 2, Aces 2 (1 short)
Thao Errors 12: hitting 14 (Net 7, Wide 5
TIME: 12:54

FOURTH SINGLES
With Mee Xiong's absence at second varsity singles, Crystal Yang moved up to fourth singles from first JV for Harding. She faced Novia Josiah. Josiah grabbed the early lead at 5-0. Yang tied it at six, but Josiah went back up 12-8 by scoring on her 3rd and 4th serve. Yang took her first lead at 16-15 when Josiah missed on her serve. Yang was able to get the side out on Josiah's last three serve. Yang also was able to utilize her own serve. Yang won on her 10th serve with a deep hitting error 21-17.

Yang jumped in front early by scoring on her 2nd through 5th serve 3-1, 8-2, and 11-3. Josiah regained some momentum with three straight points to close to 11-7. A series of side outs made it 16-10 Yang. When Josiah got the bird on her 7th serve she squeezed two more points out. Yang handcuffed Josiah with a side out smash and never gave the bird back. Yang ran off four in a row including a clear for the 21-12 win.

SIDEOUTS:
Yang 10/16 .625; Josiah 7/18 .389
SERVE RUNS:
Yang 3 (4); Josiah 2 (4)
POINTS:
Yang 42. Winners 25: Drops 9, Drives 8 (3 soft), Smashes 7, Clears 1
Josiah Errors 17: hitting 15 (Nets 10, Wides 3, Deeps 2); serving 2 (wide 2).
Josiah 29: Winners 18: Smashes 5, Drops 3, Aces 2, Drive 2 (2 soft), Clears 1
Yang Errors 11: Hitting errors 11 (Nets 7, Fans 2, Wides 2)
TIME: 15:57

SINGLES
1. Pang Thao (H) def Pam Vang 21-10, 21-16
2. Stephanie King (H) def Ling Wang 22-20, 23-21
3. Kazoua Yang (H) def Cha Her 21-10, 21-17
4. Crystal Yang (H) def Novia Josiah 21-17, 21-12
DOUBLES
1. Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang (H) def Kosaize Yang/Mai Xiong Vang 21-17, 21-15
2. Pa Yang/Shee Xiong (H) def Kablia Her/Kia Her 21-9, 18-21, 21-11
3. Shee Xiong/Mai Ngia Xiong (H) def Wendy Moua/Mai See Vang 21-13, 21-15

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 4-0 1.000
Games: Harding 8-0 1.000
Points: Harding 171-123 .582
decided by 10+: Harding 2-0
decided by 3 or less: Harding 2-0
DOUBLES
matches: Harding 3-0 1.000
games: Harding 6-1 .857
points: Harding 144-101 .588
decided by 10+: Harding 2-0
decided by 3: Arlington 1-0

Next up: tomorrow morning

Last Full Week, Late Henry/SW Results

2007-04-30T06:18:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 4.30.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

THE WEEK AHEAD
Monday, April 30
ST. PAUL
Harding at Arlington
Highland Park at Como Park
Central at Humboldt
NON CON
South at Eden Prairie

Tuesday, May 1
MINNEAPOLIS
Edison at Henry
Roosevelt at North
South at Southwest
ST. PAUL
Central at Highland Park
Harding at Central
Johnson at Humboldt
NON CON
Burnsville at Washburn

Wednesday, May 2
NON CON
South at Harding
Eden Prairie at Washburn

Thursday, May 3
MINNEAPOLIS
Southwest at Edison
Henry at South
North at Washburn
ST. PAUL
Highland Park at Arlington
NON CON
Roosevelt at Burnsville

Friday, May 4
ST. PAUL
Como Park at Humboldt
Central at Johnson

Here is a late box of the Henry vs Southwest game on Thursday, April 26 won by Henry 6-1.

SINGLES
1. Mai Vang Vang (H) def. Martha Streng 13-21, 21-11, 21-7
2. Lisa Thao (H) def. Astia Roper-Batker 12-21, 21-15, 21-17
3. Choua Pha (H) def. Emma Kullberg 21-19, 21-7
4. Hnia Yang (H) def. Sarah Abdelwalhab 21-8, 21-11
DOUBLES
1. Yer Yang/Mai Chia Yang (H) def. Anna Yarborough/Maya Adler 21-13 , 21-12
2. Yer Yang/Choua Yang (H) def. Betsy Multoy/Camille Mahlum 21-16, 21-11
3. Alba Bilani/Abby Knutson (SW) def. Dia Lee/Bao Lee 18-21, 21-8, 21-16

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Henry 4-0 1.000
Games: Henry 8-2 .800
Points: Henry 193-137 .585
decided by 10+: Henry 5-0
decided by 3 or less: Henry 1-0
DOUBLES
matches: Henry 2-1 .667
games: Henry 5-2 .714
points: Henry 129-112 .535
decided by 10+: 1-1
decided by 3: Henry 1-0

If you have a box, send it to me & it will be posted.

next up: later today.

Burnsville's Week

2007-04-29T08:14:00.001-05:00

#1 posting 4.29.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

BURNSVILLE'S WEEK
Here are two reports on Burnsville's week just past, one from the Savage Pacer focuses on the 5-2 Como Park win, and one from the This Week paper in Burnsville has more on the Johnson loss plus the CP win.

If you have the box of your match, send it to me & I will post it.

next up: tomorrow.

Friday Results,

2007-04-28T09:49:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 4.28.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

ST. PAUL RESULTS
There were only two games in area yesterday and both were in St. Paul. Harding continued to roll with a 7-0 sweep of Central. Arlington got back in the winning side of things with a 4-3 victory over Como Park.

Minneapolis standings update.
1. Henry is 8-2 in the city
2. Edison 7-3
2. South 7-3
4. Washburn 6-5
5. Southwest 5-6
6. North 3-7
7. Roosevelt 0-12

LATE RESULT
Here is Henry's 7-0 sweep of Roosevelt on Wednesday, April 25. The only game that went to three was at third doubles where Dia Lee and Bao Lee had to come back after losing the first game.
SINGLES
1. Mai Vang Vang (H) def. Tenzing Norden 21-7, 21-11
2. Lisa Thao (H) def. Passang Chozum 21-11, 21-5
3. Choua Pha (H) def. Maria 21- 11, 21-7
4. Hnia Yang (H) def. Maribu 21-15, 21 -16
DOUBLES
1. Yer Yang/MaiChia Yang (H) def. MacCory/Tania 21-19, 21-16
2. Yer Yang/Choua Yang (H) def. PaHoua Lor/Cindy Lee 21-11, 21-11
3. Dia Lee/Bao Lee (H) def. Nicasia Gulindo/Elizabeth Garcia 21-23 , 21-11, 21-16

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Henry 4-0 1.000
Games: Henry 8-0 1.000
Points: Henry 168-83 .669
decided by 10+: none
decided by 3 or less: Henry 6-0
DOUBLES
matches: Henry 3-0 1.000
games: Henry 6-1 .857
points: Henry 147-107 .579
decided by 10+: Henry 3-0
decided by 3: 1-1

If you have the results and would like them posted, send them to me and I will post them.

Next up; tomorrow

Minneapolis Standings

2007-04-27T07:28:00.000-05:00

#1 posting 4.27.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

THURSDAY RESULTS
I reported last night about the South 6-1 win over Edison setting up the Minneapolis City race for a big final week. In other action it was Washburn beating Roosevelt 6-1.

Here is a look at the Minneapolis race
1. Henry 6-2 *two games unknown: Roosevelt, Southwest
2. Edison 7-3
2. South 7-3
4. Washburn 6-5
5. Southwest 5-5* one game unknown
6. North 3-7
7. Roosevelt 0-11* one game unknown

In St. Paul you can see there standings from the St. Paul Conference site.

If you send me the results of the matches I will post them.

Next up: tomorrow

Out & About: South/Edison

2007-04-26T21:07:00.000-05:00

#2 posting 4.26.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

MINNEAPOLIS SOUTH tigers 6
MINNEAPOLIS EDISON tommies 1

South jumbled up the Mpls City race with a convincing 6-1 win at Edison. It was South's second win over Edison this year. Earlier the Tigers won 4-3 at South. Both teams are 7-3, but South would have the tiebreaker with both wins. Henry is at 6-2.

South swept the singles, but need three games at 2, 3, and 4. South's 4th, Jessica Jolson had to win games two and three for the win at that positon. Edison's only win came at first doubles with the pair of Julie Lor and Panhia Xiong winnng in two.

FIRST SINGLES
Edison's Chu Mai Thao started off three straight points capped with an ace. There were a couple of lead changes with Thao going up 9-6 after another three service points. South's Bee Xiong slipped ahead at 11-10, but a missed serve tied it at 11. The next 14 serves went back and forth as both players looked for any sort of run. On Xiong's 12th serve she broke free with three points, all on Thao hitting errors to win 21-17. It should be mentioned that Xiong had 6 serving errors in the first game preventing any runs.

The side out game was working again with six straight serves changing hands. Xiong broke free with points off her 4th, 5th and 6th serves. Xiong ran up the biggest total on her sixth serve with four straight points. That put her in the drivers seat 13-7. Thao closed to 14-11. Xiong extended her lead out to 17-12. Then Xiong was held scoreless the rest of the game with her next four serves. But her margin gave her the cushion she needed to withstand the Thao run. Thao, on her last four serves only squeezed two points. On two of her serves Thao cut her own throat with missed serves. The game ended with a Xiong smash for a 21-18 win.

SIDEOUTS:
Xiong 18/24 .750; Thao 15/24 .625
SERVE RUNS:
Xiong 2 (longest 4), Thao 2 (3)
POINTS:
Xiong 42. Winners 21: Drop 6, Clear 6, Smashes 4, Drives 4 (2 soft), Ace 1
Thao Errors 21: hitting 16 (wide 6, net 6, deep 4); serving 5 (wide 3, short 1, net 1).
Thao 35: Winners 13: Smashes 5, Drops 3, Aces 2, Drive 2 (2 soft), Clears 1
Xiong Errors 22: hitting 14 (Net 5, Wide 5, Deep 4), serving 8 (Deep 4, Wide 4)

SECOND SINGLES
I caught the third game in this series. Edison's See Vang led early at 3-0 and continued with her lead scoring points on 5 of her first 8 serves while holding South's Ma Xiong was held scoreless for four straight serves. Vang led 16-11. Xiong got the side out with a hitting error. Xiong had five straight service points with three coming on hitting errrors. That put Xiong up 17-16. Another rotation and she was up 19-17. Vang used a smash to get the bird back and then scored two straight points to go on the verge 20-19. Xiong held her off with a clear to tie it at 20. Xiong then kept the bird and used a clear for the win 22-20.

FOURTH SINGLES
I then moved over to the fourth singles in the middle of their third game. I picked up the action at 5-4 in favor of South's Jessica Jolson. Edison's Kia Vue got three points in a row to edge ahead 6-5. Jolson then went on a 9-2 run to go up 14-8. Jolson maintained that lead throughout the rest of the match. From my count of Jolson's 16 points, 11 came from Vue errors. Vue had 12 points in my viewing, 7 from Jolson errors.

SINGLES
1. Bee Xiong (S) def Chu Mai Thao 21-18, 21-18
2. Ma Xiong (S) def See Vang 21-8, 16-21, 22-20
3. CeCe Durney (S) def Kalia Thao 21-15, 18-21, 21-12
4. Jessica Jolson (S) def Kia Vue 22-24, 21-19, 21-15
DOUBLES
1. Julie Lor/PaNhia Xiong (E) def Katherine McQuarter/Rachel Mammen 21-13, 21-3
2. Melissa Ng/Jackie Heslop (S) def Karrie Lee/Ly Vang 22-20, 21-11
3. Misha Hemmingson/Hannah Heigl (S) def. Ala Xiong/Brenda Vue 21-13, 21-16

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: South 4-0 1.000
Games: South 8-3 .727
Points: South 225-191 .541
decided by 10+: South 1-0
decided by 3 or less: South 4-2 .667
DOUBLES
matches: South 2-1 .667
games: South 4-2 .667
points: Edison 102-101 .502
decided by 10+: South 1-0
decided by 3: 1-1
It is interesting that Edison edged South in total points in the doubles side of things.

next up: tomorrow morning