Out & About: Mpls Southwest/Mpls Roosevelt

#2 posting 4.15.2008
badminton news & information

MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST lakers 4
MINNEAPOLIS ROOSEVELT teddies 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Next up: tomorrow morning

Monday Results

#1 posting 4.15.2008
badminton news & information

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

Harding beat Arlington 6-1.

Central also won 6-1 with Humboldt the victim.

Highland Park edged Como Park 4-3.

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

Out & About: St. Paul Johnson/Eden Prairie

#1 posting 4.14.2008
badminton news & information

ST. PAUL JOHNSON governors 5
EDEN PRAIRIE eagles 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Next up: tomorrow morning

Friday Results

#1 posting 4.12.2008
badminton news & information

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

next up: the first badminton poll of the year.

Thursday Results

#1 posting 4.11.2008
badminton news & information

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

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

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

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

ST. PAUL
Como Park beat Arlington 4-3.

Conference leader Johnson beat Highland Park 6-1.

Harding swept Central 7-0 staying one game back.

next up: tomorrow

Out & About: Mpls North/Mpls Washburn

#1 posting 4.10.2008
badminton news & information

MINNEAPOLIS NORTH polars 4
MINNEAPOLIS WASHBURN millers 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Next up: tomorrow morning

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

#2 posting 4.9.2008
badminton news & information

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Next up: tomorrow morning

Tuesday Results

#1 posting 4.9.2008
badminton news & information

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

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

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

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

Next up: later today with another out & about

Out & About: Central/Como Park

#1 posting 4.8.2008
Minnesota Badminton News & information

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Next up: tomorrow morning

StarTribune Season Preview

#1 posting 4.4.2008
Minnesota badminton news & information

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

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

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

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

Next up: next week.

Johnson Tops Harding

#1 posting 3.29.2008
badminton news & information

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

Everything shuts down for a week now.

next up: next week

Thursday Results

#1 posting 3.28.2008
badminton news & information

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

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

next up: tomorrow?

2 Minneapolis Results

#1 posting 3.26.2008
Minnesota badminton news & information

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

I will resume my out & abouts again after Friday.

Next up: tomorrow

Out & About: Harding/Highland Park

#1 posting 3.25.2008
Minnesota badminton news & information

ST. PAUL HARDING knights 5,
ST. PAUL HIGHLAND PARK scots 2

Two time defending champ St. Paul Harding opened their season with a 5-2 win over host Highland Park. The Knights took the last three singles and the first two doubles to put together their win. Highland Park's Khoua Xiong took first singles in a tight three game match, while HP's third doubles also won a three game match. HP was 2-1 in three game matches overall.

I made it just in time as the two squads were being introduced. If you have been to HP then you know there isn't a lot of wiggle room for spectators. I was tucked into a crevice for the first game and then climbed the bleachers for a bird's eye view of the bird. Another interesting feature was the nets in play were full of holes and there was one occasion that the bird flew through the net. The players called that play right away.

FIRST SINGLES
This was the first singles match all year that went three games I watched. It was compelling as the rallies lasted a good long time. In another facet, I have different scores. It may be there were some do overs I didn't catch.

In game one Khoua took early 6-3 lead as she was able to get points off each of her first three serves. That lead moved to 10-4 and 11-5 after her 5th serve. Mee came back with four straight points on Khoua hitting errors. Khoua added three, but then Mee added three to make it 14-12 for Khoua. Khoua led right to the end, but then Mee closed with four straight and finished off game one with a clear for a 22-20 win.

In game two Mee had the early advantage at 5-1. Khoua took the lead at 10-6 after a 9-1 run. Khoua mixed up the shot selection to keep Mee guessing and running. Mee regained the lead at 13-12 after four straight points. Another 6-1 run put Khoua back in front 17-15 (player's score). Both traded side outs. Mee tied the game at 18. Khoua stopped Mee's serve with a clear, and then traded side outs. The game winner was a smash to even the series.

Mee ran off the first three points, but that lead was short lived. Khoua had a 12-2 run with a key point coming at 12. Khoua kept the bird in play with hustle all over the court. Mee was only able to get one point off her serve in the next five attempts. Khoua was able to get four points off her next four serves and that made the difference.

Khoua had a big edge in sideout % and winners with 11 more than Mee.

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

SIDEOUTS:
Khoua 16/29-.552; Mee 10/28-.357
SERVE RUNS:
Khoua 5 (twice); Mee 3 (four times)
POINTS:
Khoua 65
Winners: 28: Drives 11, Drops 8, Clears 7, Smashes 2
Mee Errors 37: hitting 35 (Net 21, Wide 8, Deep 5, Fan 1); serving 2 (wide 2)
Mee 51
Winners 17: Drops 7, Drives 6, Clears 2, Smashes 2
Khoa errors 34: hitting 29 (Net 21, Wide 6, Deep 1, Fan 1); Serving 5 (wide 3, net 2)
Time: 22 minutes.

SINGLES
1. Khoua Xiong (HP) beat Mee Xiong 20-22, 21-19, 21-10
2. Stephanie King (H) beat Micha Everts 21-10, 21-9
3. Kazoua Yang (H) beat Elena Kronmiller 21-16, 21-15
4. Gao Thao (H) beat Mai Yia Moua 21-15, 21-10
DOUBLES
1. Alana Yang/Mor Xiong (H) beat Grace Moran/Alison Cole 21-9, 21-18
2. Chao Xiong/Pa Nhia Vang (H) beat Pa Kou Lor/Drew Thao 21-19, 16-21, 21-11
3. Seng Lee/Pa Ying Moua (HP) beat Linda Yang/Bao Vang 21-19, 16-21, 21-11

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 3-1 .750
Games: Harding 7-2 .778
Points: Harding 177-137 .564
decided by 10+: Harding 3-1 .750
decided by 3 or less: 1-1
DOUBLES
matches: Harding 2-1 .667
games: Harding 5-3 .625
points: Harding 144-138 .511
decided by 10+: Harding 3-0 1.000
decided by 3: Harding 3-0 1.000

Next up: tomorrow

Out & About: Eden Prairie/Minneapolis Edison

#1 posting 3.24.2008
badminton news & information

EDEN PRAIRIE eagles 6, MINNEAPOLIS EDISON tommies 1

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

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

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

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

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

Photos by kja

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

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

Next up: tomorrow morning

Burnsville's Week

#1 posting 3.22.2008
badminton news & information

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

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

Next up: tomorrow?

Two for Four, or is it Three

#1 posting 3.21.2008
badminton news & information

There were two reported scores yesterday:

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

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

Next up: later this weekend

Out & About: Postponed

#1 posting 3.20.2008
badminton news & information

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

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

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

more tomorrow

Out & About: Burnsville/St. Paul Arlington

#2 posting 3.19.2008
badminton news & information

BURNSVILLE blaze 5
ST. PAUL ARLINGTON phoenix 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Next up: Tomorrow morning

Monday Minneapolis Results

#1 posting 3.19.2008
badminton news & information

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

no word on the Henry vs North contest

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

Next up: Later today with an out & about