Out & About: St. Paul City Day 1

#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

#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

#2 posting 5.8.2007
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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

#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

#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

#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

#1 posting 5.4.2007
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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

#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

#2 posting 5.3.2007
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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

#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

#2 posting 5.2.2007
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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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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,

#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

#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

#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