Out & About: South/Roosevelt

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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)

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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.