Out & About: Johnson/Arlington

#2 posting 3.29.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

ST. PAUL JOHNSON governors 4,
ST. PAUL ARLINGTON phoenix 3

Johnson won this St. Paul battle by sweeping the doubles and taking 4th singles. The match hung in the balance as the 4th singles was the last to come in. With the win Johnson is now 1-1 in the St. Paul City, 2-2 overall. Arlington is 0-2 in the city, 2-3 overall.

FIRST SINGLES
Ling Wang of Arlington took the first four points and never trailed, althougth the game was tied a variety of times. Wang led 7-4 when Pa Kou Vang scroed three in a row to tie it at 7. After Wang broke serve, each player traded serves for the next four services. Wang was the first to score again on her serve with a clear to make it 13-11. Vang placed a drop to get serve back and then had a drive on her serve to tie it at 13. Wang returned the favor with her own drive for point 14. Wang received a point on a hitting error and then was handcuffed to make it 15-14. Vang served deep and then Wang kept serve for the next five points. She started the run with two clears (and one fan) and then sandwiched a drop between two drives. Wang took game one 21-14.

Wang had first serve and scored on her first serve as Vang fanned on a shot. For the next 9 serves the other player held to make it 5-5. On Vang's 5th serve she put together three points with a drive, a clear, and then a fan. She ended her own serve by serving deep. After that serve however Vang would not trail. The fact was Wang was only able to score twice on her serve---the first tiime and then on her 10th time. By that time she trailed 15-9 before ending Pa Kou Vang's serve with a drop. Ling Wang then put together four straight points with a drop and three Pa Kou Vang hitting errors. That put the score at 15-14. Vang was able to clear to stop the momentum and regain the edged. She then got a five point run with the first four all hitting errors. Vang finished with a clear for point 21. I had the score 21-14. It was reported 21-15.

On the first 7 services in game three only Pa Kou Vang was able to score as Ling Wang was wide on a shot. The biggest Vang lead was one point, the last time at 4-3. The game remained tight with one point separating the two until Ling Wang's 6th serve. She then ran off six straight points to break an 8-7 game into 14-7. In the run Wang had two drops, with a handcuff, two clears, and one Vang hitting error. Her serve ended on a Ling Wang hitting error that went deep. That started a 4-1 run by Vang as she cut the lead to 15-11. But on Ling Wang's 8th serve she added four more points to put the game at match point 20-11. Wang hit deep to give the serve back to Pa Kou Vang. She hit deep to finish this match 21-12.

SIDEOUTS
Wang: 19/30, .633; Vang 19/29 .655.
SERVE RUNS OF 3+
Wang 5, Vang 2
POINTS
Ling Wang (A): 56; J Hitting Errors: 20 (net 8, wide 7, fans 3, deep 2); Drops 16, Clears 7, Drives 6, Missed serves (deep) 4; Smash 2, Handcuff 1
Pa Kou Vang (J): 47; A Hitting Errors: 19 (deep 7, wide 5, net 5, fan 2); Drops 13, Clears 9, Drives 3, Handcuffs 2, Serve (short) 1

FOURTH SINGLES
I didn't get to this match until the tail end and Gina Garcia was dominating scoring 10 of the last 11 points. Six of the points came via Arlington hitting errors. With Garcia's win Johnson took the match 4-3.

SINGLES
1. Ling Wang (A) def. Pa Kou Vang 21-14, 15-21, 21-12
2. Pam Vang (A) def. Ye Thao 21-6, 21-8
3. Kazou Yang (A) def. Kia Thao 21-15, 6-15, 22-20
4. Gina Garcia (J) def. Linda Lee 21-10, 21-6
DOUBLES
1. Karen Obermeyer-Kolb/Pang Thao (J) def Khue Yang/Mai Lou Xiong 21-14, 21-16
2. Kao Lee Xiong/Mai Ka Yang (J) def Kosaizee Yang/Mai Xiong Vang 21-9, 21-14
3. Mai Xy Xiong/Hanh To (J) def Kablia Her/Kia Her 22-20, 21-10

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Arlington 3-1, .750
Games: Arlington 6-4, .600
points: Arlington 164-159, .508
decided by 2: Arlington 1-0, 1.000
decided by 10+: Johnson 3-2, .600
DOUBLES
Matches: Johnson 3-0, 1.000
Games: Johnson 6-0, 1.000
points: Johnson 127-83, .605
decided by 2: Johnson 1-0, 1.000
decided by 10+: Johnson 2-0, 1.000

next up: tomorrow morning.

Harding Sweeps Johnson

#1 posting 3.29.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

TUESDAY RESULTS
Here is defending state champ St. Paul Harding's opening day 7-0 win over St. Paul Johnson. Johnson is now 1-2 on the year, 0-1 in the conference. First Singles Pang Thao only allowed 10 points total in the two games against Pakou. Second singles Mee Xiong also had a strong showing with 14 points allowed.
The only game (not match) Johnson was able to win was in first doubles when Karen and Pang took the second game 21-6. The Harding first doubles team of Dia Xiong and PaNhia Yang was able to bounce back in game three 21-13 to win the match.

SINGLES
1. Pang Thao (H) def Pakou Vang 21-5, 21-5
2. Mee Xiong (H) def Kia Thao 21-6, 21-8
3. Stephanie King (H) def Ye Thao 21-16, 21-7
4. Kazoua Yang (H) def Gina Garcia 21-15, 21-17
DOUBLES
1. Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang (H) def Karen Obermeyer-Kolb/Pang Thao 21-10, 6-21, 21-13
2. Pa Yang/Nalee Xiong (H) def Kao Lee Xiong/Mai Ka Yang 21-19, 21-8
3. Mor Xiong/Mai Ngia Xiong (H) def Belick/Nhia 21-16, 21-16

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Games: Harding 8-0, 1.000
Points: Harding 168-79, .680
games 2 pts or less; 0-0
games 10+ pts: Harding 5-0, 1.000
DOUBLES
Games: Harding 6-1, .857
Points: Harding 132-103, .561
games 2pts or less: Harding 1-0, 1.000
games 10+ pts: Harding 2-1, .667

Next up: an out & about later today.

4-3 Theme, 2 Unknowns

#1 posting 3.28.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

YESTERDAYS RESULTS
MINNEAPOLIS
You can read my out & about with Washburn's win over Southwest 4-3 yesterday.

Also North bumped off South 4-3.

No word on Roosevelt and Henry.

ST. PAUL
Central beat Arlington keeping with the 4-3 theme.

Highland Park broke ranks with a 6-1 win over Humboldt.

no word on Johnson and Harding.

NON CON
Burnsville beat St. Paul Como Park 4-3.

next up: tomorrow. There are no games tonight, so it will be later tomorrow with another out & about.

Out & About: Mpls Washburn/Mpls Southwest

#2 posting 3.27.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

MINNEAPOLIS WASHBURN millers 4
MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST lakers 3

Washburn picked up their first win of the year (1-2) with a narrow 4-3 win at home on Tuesday afternoon. They split the singles taking 1 and 3, and won the first two doubles for the win. All four wins came in early. SW took the last three matches to be decided. SW was missing their 2nd and 3rd singles and a member of their 2nd doubles team. The Lakers also picked up their first loss of the year (2-1)

FIRST SINGLES
Rina Maezato of Washburn won both games in her match, but she started off down 4-1 in the first game. She didn't take the lead until her fourth serve with three straight points 12-9. Maezato was able to side out four of the last five serves by Martha Streng, while scoring on her serve 5/6 of her last serves in that contest. Maezato took game one 21-13.
Just like in the first game Streng took an early lead at 6-4. Maezato ran off five straight points and took the lead at 10-6 on her fourth serve. She never trailed after that. Both players closed out by forcing serve. Of the last 9 serves, 8 were one and done. Streng was able to squeeze one point on her 8th serve, but Maezato shut her down the next three times. Maezato finished game two up 21-18.

Side Out %: Maezato, Washburn 11/19: .579; Streng, Southwest 8/19: .421
Points scored
Maezato: 42 points: 22 SW hitting errors; 7 drives; 4 smashes, 4 drops; 3 clears; 2 aces
Streng: 31 points: 18 W Hitting errors; 8 drives; 4 clears; 3 W serving errors; 2 smashes; 2 drops; 1 ace

3RD DOUBLES
At this point the match was decided in favor of Washburn. This match had been split in the first two games before I arrived. The Washburn pair led 4-1 early, but five straight service points by SW gave them the lead Washburn did tie it up at 8, but the counting in this game was off according to my numbers. Eventually SW did win, but the numbers I had were 20-12 SW. There were quite a few fans (swing and a miss) in this game with 13 between the two teams. SW gave Washburn 6 points on Fans, while receiving 7 from Washburn. The side out % actually favored Washburn at .429 to .286, but SW was able to make better use of their serves with runs of five, four and three. SW won this contest 21-10 in the book, but I had it as I said before 20-12. Washburn won the first game in the set 21-17, while SW took game two 21-13.
One of the SW duo in the 3rd doubles match got so warm she removed her t shirt and played in her sports bra. That was a contrast to the some of the recent immigrants who were covered from head to toe in flowing garments.

SINGLES
1: Rina Maezato (W) def. Martha Streng 21-13, 21-18
2: Emma Kullberg (SW) def. Dani Sack 17-21, 21-18, 21-15
3: Molly Yi (W) def. Anna Yarborough 21-16, 22-21
4: Maya Adler (SW) def. Paris Koehler 21-19, 21-18
DOUBLES
1: Mai Vang/Xee Lee (W) def. Betsy Multoy/Camille Mahlum 21-17, 22-20
2: Montisha Puthawong/Jennie Harrop (W) def. Sarah ?/Karen Hammes 21-15, 21-4
3: Annaka Rosenstone/Abby Knutson (SW) def. Troy Vathe/Lori Lais 17-21, 21-13, 21-10

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Games: Washburn 5-4 .556
Points: Washburn 176-170; .509
decided by 2 or under: 1-1
decided by 10+: 0-0
DOUBLES
games: Washburn 5-2, .714
points: 129-115, .529
decided by 2 or under: Washburn 1-0
decided by 10+: 1-1

Next up: tomorrow

Johnson Edges Eden Prairie

#1 posting 3.27.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
MINNEAPOLIS
I already gave you the Edison/North contest yesterday won by Edison 5-2

Also Southwest beat Roosevelt 5-2

No word on South vs Washburn

NON CONFERENCE
Burnsville gave Mpls Henry the doughnut 7-0

In the tightest contest yesterday St. Paul Johnson edged Eden Prairie 4-3

next up: another out & about later today.

Out & About: Mpls Edison/Mpls North

#2 posting 3.26.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

MINNEAPOLIS EDISON tommies 5
MINNEAPOLIS NORTH polars 2

Edison swept the singles and took 2nd doubles in their 5-2 conference win over North. The closest, and longest match of the day took place at 1st doubles with Vang Khang and Phoua Khang of North topping Karrie Lee and Ly Vang 20-22, 21-19, 30-29. 3rd doubles also was a tight contest with North winning in two.

FIRST SINGLES
Nadvia Davis opened with the first points of the contest, and led at one point 13-9. But See Vang came back with three straight points to cut it to 13-12. Davis had a clear to get a two point cushion. She missed her serve, but had the side out on a smash for a 15-13 lead, or so I thought. On Davis' next serve Vang had a drive to get the birdie back, but the score was now tied at 15. Vang scored a point on her serve the next three times, while Davis was not able to score off hers. Vang finished off the first game with two drives 21-17.

Vang took an early 2-1 lead after her serve. Davis, on her second service, was able to take the lead with the help of two aces on clears. Davis led 5-3. On Vang's fifth serve she was able to score off her serve again with two drives, and the game was tied at 8. Davis regained the lead with three straight points to 13-10. She again had two aces with clears again. Vang took command with 7 straight points, 6 on her serve to go up 19-15. When Davis got the serve back she had a service error. Davis got the next three points holding off Vang with two points off Vang hitting errors, and then a drop. Vang finished the night with a drive 21-18.

SIDE OUT %: Vang 15/22 .682; Davis .591

FIRST DOUBLES
I was only able to catch the third game in this match. Vue & Yang held a 9-6 lead with 7 straight points with five hitting errors by Khang & Khang. The North tied it at 9 with three straight points including an ace. They had another three straight run to go up 13-10. The Edison duo tied it at 15. but Khang & Khang again popped up to 17-15. Vue & Yang forced ties at 17, 18, 19, 20, and finally broke through grabbing a 23-22 lead. The North pair went up again at 25-24 off of two hitting errors. Both teams traded serves for the next five straight side outs. The Edison two went up 28-27 on a drive. North held off with an Edison wide hitting error knotting it up at 28. The moved up to 29-28 again on an Edison hitting error in the net. Edison got the serve back on a North hitting error. The final point came off of an Edison serve and again it was a net hit by Edison that finished the longest match.

SINGLES
1. See Vang (E) defeated Nadvia Davis 21-17, 21-18
2. Chue Mai (E) defeated Sassy Yang 21-11, 21-14
3. Julie Lor (E) defeated Foua Khang 21-5, 21-10
4. Pa Nhia Xiong (E) defeated Sarah Hollingshead 21-7, 21-4
DOUBLES
1. Vang Khang/Phoua Khang (N) defeated Karrie Lee/Ly Vang 20-22, 21-19, 30-29
2. Kalia Thao/Charlotte Rymanowski (E) defeated Debbi Hulbert/Kiki Nelson 21-10, 21-14
3. Amanda Seline/Jamie Lee (N) defeated Brenda Vue/Nou Yang 21-19, 22-20

TOTALS
SINGLES
games: Edison 8-0, 1.000
points: Edison 168-86, .661
games decided by 2 pts: 0
games decided by 10+ pts: Edison 5-0
DOUBLES
games: 3-3, .500
points: Edison 151-138, .523
games decided by 2 pts: North 4-1
games decide by 10+ pts: Edison 1-0

Next up: tomorrow

Schedule this Week

#1 posting 3.26.2007
your periodic dose of girls badminton news & information

SCHEDULES THIS WEEK
Monday
Mpls Edison at Mpls North
Mpls Henry at Burnsville
Mpls Roosevelt at Mpls Southwest
Mpls South at Mpls Washburn
St. P. Johnson at Eden Prairie

Tuesday
Mpls Henry at Mpls Roosevelt
Mpls South at Mpls North
Mpls Southwest at Mpls Washburn
St. P Humboldt at St. P Highland Park
St. P Johnson at St. P Harding
St. P Arlington at St. P Central
St. P Como Park at Burnsville

Thursday
Mpls Edison at Mpls South
Mpls Henry at Mpls Southwest
Mpls Washburn at Mpls Roosevelt
St. P Johnson at St. P Arlington
St. P Harding at St. P Humboldt
St. P Central at St. P Como Park

next up: report on a game later today

Southwest Over North

#1 posting 3.23.2007
your periodic dose of girls badminton news & information

Minneapolis Southwest beat Mpls North in conference play 6-1.

While Eden Prairie downed St. Paul Central 4-3 in nonconference action.

next up: tomorrow.

St. Paul 0-2 on Wednesday

#1 posting 3.22.2007
your periodic dose of girls badminton news & information

Burnsville evened up their record at 1-1 with a 4-3 win over St. Paul Johnson yesterday.

Minneapolis South downed St. Paul Arlington by the same score.

next up: tomorrow?

Minneapolis City Opens Play

#1 posting 3.21.2007
your periodic dose of girls badminton news & information

Minneapolis opened conference play yesterday with Edison beating Washburn 6-1 and South downing Roosevelt by the same margin.

I will soon be out & about.

next up: tomorrow

Arlington beat Burnsville

#1 posting 3.20.2007
Your periodic dose of girls badminton news & information

Long time, no post.

Yesterday the season opened with St. Paul Arlington beating Burnsville 4-3.

There will be more updates as the season progresses. Games really take off next week.

next up: tomorrow.

New Henry Assistant

#1 posting 10.30.2006

HENRY ASSISTANT
Minneapolis Henry will have an assistant coach this spring, and it will be a familiar face. Mai Ku Moua, last year's Minneapolis singles champ will be helping coach Tim Miller.

Henry won the conference last year.

Next up: when news breaks

Badminton to Volleyball

#1 posting 8.19.2006

BADMINTON TO VOLLEYBALL
Badminton coaches want volleyball players due to their hitting and there are a few badmintoners playing volleyball at Minneapolis Henry. Wendy Vang, Yer Yang, and Sara Grauvilardell to name a few are playing volleyball. Last year's badminton city champion Mai Ku Moua also played volleyball and was captain in both sports.

Next up September

Quiet Summer

#1 posting 7.21.2006

To be honest there is not a lot of badminton camps, leagues, tournaments that are promoted like the traveling basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball etc.

I feel that badminton players are really playing for the love of the sport. They may work on the game with their friends, but the contacts along the lines of AAU or Nike tournaments are just not trumpeted as loudly.

If you do have news send it along.

Minneapolis & St. Paul Name All Conference

#1 posting 6.24. 2006

ALL CONFERENCE
Here is a link of AC performers from the Minneapolis and St. Paul City conferences found at the StarTribune. The usual suspects are there with Minneapolis Henry's Mai Ku Moua the city champ at singles and the Southwest duo of Abby Behl and Lydia Kelly.
In St. Paul, the epicenter of badminton, Harding, the epicenter of badminton in St.Paul, led the way with five AC players including state singles champ Pang Thao and the state doubles champion pair of Mai Tria Lee and KaaBao Yang.
There were five juniors out of the 11 spots in Minneapolis. Edison has three AC players returning, Henry 2.
In St. Paul, Harding looks well positioned to go for the trifecta again with 3 of the 4 AC players back. Add in a sophomore in the Honorable Mention category and things look up hill for the rest of the state.

Next up: Monday

Malaysian Open Withdrawls

#1 posting 6.14.2006

MALAYSIAN OPEN
The Danish doubles team withdrew from the Malaysian Open, and that may open the door for the Malayian doubles team of Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Lin Woon Fui. The Chinese team is in the other side of the brackets. Here is more from the Malaysian Star.

SWAZILAND TO BULGARIA
The Swaziland national badminton team will travel to Bulgaria for some training this August. This is in preparation for the African championships to be held in Nigeria in December. Here is what the Swazi Observer has to say.

Next up: tomorrow

South African Tournament

#1 posting 6.7.2006

SOUTH AFRICAN TOURNAMENT
Usually this blog has posted international events focusing on Asia, but Africa also has a large badminton following.
Swaziland is headed to South Africa for the SA International Touranment. The Swazi Oberver explains about the prep time.

INDIAN ACTION
The AG Uttar Pradesh team knocked off AG Punjab 3-2 in the North-Zone Audit and Accounts Badminton Tournament. The doubles pair of Deepak Saxana and Sanjeev Tiwari provided the winning edge. Story is from Ludhaina News in India.

Next up tomorrow with badminton happenings around the globe.

Singapore Open, Mann to retire

#1 posting 6.6.2006

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Spain will host the world championships in September. Here is how the Vietnamese team is getting ready. From Nhan Dan Sports.
English 8 time champion Julia Mann will retire after the world championships. She will be the French National coach after her playing days are done. Here is the BBC Sport story.

SINGAPORE OPEN
The doubles team of Lee Wan Wah/Choong Tan Fook will look to take their second title of the year in the Singapore Open. The Malaysian pair are seeded second in the tournament. Here is a lot more from the New Straits Times.

Next up: tomorrow

Hidayat Wins Title

#1 posting 6.4.2006

INDONESIAN OPEN
Taufik Hidayat won the Indonesian open men's title beating Bao Chun Lai of China 21-18, 21-19. This is Hidayat's sixth title in the Indonesian open. This article is from the Antara News.

INDIA SETS UP ACADEMY
The North East section of India has set up their own Badminton Academy. Top local talent is being coached by top level coaches. Need to read more? Here is the Zee News article.

Next up: tomorrow evening with another morsal or two.

How to Increase Badminton in Minnesota

#1 posting 6.3.2006

HOW TO INCREASE TEAMS IN MINNESOTA
With just 16 teams, badminton is a small sport. It definitely has the potential to be bigger. It is relatively inexpensive. Most schoools have PE equipment for badminton. There are no referee costs. How to increase to increase the schools that play?
1. An effort needs to reach out to the parents from neighboring school districts, and those districts with a large Asian population to get their parents to request teams. It is always more persuasive if the people making the request are from and vote in the school district. I am sure the Asian populations in Minneapolis and St. Paul have a network of people that would be willing to lobby on the sports behalf.
2. The coaches need to do outreach to the athletic community professionals in other districts--education, exhibition matches, maybe even some ad hoc scrimmages with club type teams.

Communities that may have a base of support would be schools in Apple Valley, North St. Paul, Woodbury, Roseville, Park Center, Brooklyn Center, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Bloomington, and Richfield for starters. Perhaps a private school or two could join the ranks.

With only two suburban schools on the court the time has come to get proactive. The big push now is for lacrosse, but badminton serves an underserved population.

Sorry I haven't been posting for a while.
I will try to keep a better schedule, even if it is a snippet.

Next: tomorrow late in the day.