Out & About: Harding Triangular

#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

Out & About: Edison/Henry

#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: Eden Prairie/Minneapolis Edison

#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

Edison Schedule

#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