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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.

Team State Tournament Starts today

#1 posting 5.15.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

I don't have the schedules for today's games, but The StarTribune says the action will be at Burnsville for the quarters. I don't think so. I know it will be at Burnsville tomorrow. I think the high seeds will be hosting. That should be Harding, Johnson, and two more Highland Park, Eden Prairie and Central among the candidates. I would call before heading out to any of the sites.

Next up: later today?

State Tournament Week

#1 posting 5.14.2007
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STATE TOURNAMENT WEEK
The State tournament begins this week. On Tuesday the top four seeds will host the what in effect are two rounds including one quarterfinal.

I don't have the seeds, but I will assume #1 is Harding. The rest of these will be speculation. These are not official.
2. Johnson
3. Highland Park
4. Eden Prairie
5. St. Paul Central
6. Burnsville
7. Arlington
8. South
9. Como Park
10. Edison
11. Washburn
12. Henry
13. Humboldt
14. Southwest
15. North
16. Roosevelt

The semifinals and finals are on Wednesday at Burnsville. The individual portion of the state tournament are set for Thursday and Friday at Harding.

next up: when I have details on the Tuesday matchups.

St. Paul City Singles Results

#1 posting 5.12.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

Here is more on Burnsville's match which they lost 5-2 to Highland Park. From the This Week paper in Burnsville.

Here are the St. Paul City Singles matches. I put the Doubles results up yesterday. Event in Red. Winners in Bold.

FIRST ROUND
Khou Vang, Highland Park
Ye Thao, Johnson

Shiny Vang, Humboldt
Der Xiong, Como Park

Ling Wang, Arlington
Ashley Wandrick, Como Park

Shoua Moua, Humboldt
PaNhia, Highland Park

Ia Thao, Humboldt
Desire Garcia, Johnson 23-19* my count; 21-12

Xiong Thao, Central
PaKou Vang, Johnson

Kazoua Yang, Harding
Goa Feng Thao, Humboldt

Novia Josiah, Arlington
Nha Phan, Central 21-5, 21-6

Stephanie King, Harding
Cha Her, Arlington

Lee Fang, Como Park
Vang Lee, Highland Park

Lee Vue, Central
Mai Yer Xiong, Como Park

Yer Chang, Central
Gina Garcia, Johnson

SWEET 16
Pang Thao, Harding 21-9, 21-13
Ye Thao, Johnson
Der Xiong, Como Park
Ling Wang, Arlington

Mee Xiong, Harding
PaNhia, Highland Park

Desire Garcia, Johnson
PaKou Vang, Johnson

Khoua Xiong, Highland Park
Kazoua Yang, Harding

Nha Phan, Central
Stephanie King, Harding 21-15, 21-9

Pam Vang, Arlington
Lee Fang, Como Park

Lee Vue, Central
Gina Garcia, Johnson

QUARTERFINALS
Pang Thao, Harding
Ling Wang, Arlington

Mee Xiong, Harding
PaKou Vang, Johnson

Khoua Xiong, Highland Park 20-20? (my count); 21-17, 21-18
Stephanie King, Harding

Pam Vang, Arlington
Lee Vue, Central

SEMIFINALS
Pang Thao, Harding 21-14, 21-7 (15, 6 by my count)
Mee Xiong, Harding

Khoua Xiong, Highland Park 18-21, 21-15, 21-19
Lee Vue, Central

3RD PLACE
Mee Xiong, Harding 21-14, 21-19
Lee Vue, Central

CHAMPIONSHIP
Pang Thao, Harding 21-7, 21-7 (18-7 my count)
Khoua Xiong, Highland Park

If you have scores that you have and would like to update the list above send them to me. Go to the profile and email me.

Next up: tomorrow

St. Paul Doubles Bracket

#1 posting 5.11.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

ST. PAUL WRAP
Here are the double results, Round, and Winners

First Round
Pang/Kao-John
Jeanette/PhaHoua-Hum

Kablia/Kia-Arl
MaiKa/Belick-John

Wendy/MaiSee-Arl
Misha/Elena-HP

Sheng/MaiChor-Hum
Ka/Alexis-Cen

Khou/Nou-Como
Kosaizee/Mai-Arl

SWEET 16
Dia/PaNhia, Harding
Pang/Kao Johnson

Nou/Youa, Humboldt
Doua/Da, Central

Tracy/Xiong, Central
MaiKa/Belick, Johnson

Alison/Grace, Highland Park
Panhia/Shelly, Como Park

Nalee/Pa Harding
Maikha/Mai Tia Como Park

Mor/Alana Harding
Misha/Elena Highland Park

Karen/Kia Johnson
Ka/Alexis Central

Bee/PaKou Highland Park
Kosaizee/Mai Arlington

QUARTERFINALS
Dia/PaNhia, Harding
Doua/Da, Central

Tracy/Xiong, Central
Panhia/Shelly, Como Park

Nalee/Pa Harding
Misha/Elena Highland Park

Karen/Kia Johnson
Kosaizee/Mai Arlington

SEMIFINALS
Dia/PaNhia, Harding 21-9, 21-11
Panhia/Shelly, Como Park

Nalee/Pa Harding
Karen/Kia Johnson 21-14, 21-17

3rd PLACE
Panhia/Shelly, Como Park
Nalee/Pa Harding 21-14, 21-18

CHAMPIONSHIP
Dia/PaNhia, Harding 20-22, 21-19, 21-14
Karen/Kia Johnson

Two time city champ Pang Thao has a feature in the Pioneer Press.

LAKE
Eden Prairie beat Burnsville in the Lake conference championship yesterday 4-3. From the Savage Pacer.

Next up: tomorrow with the St. Paul Singles table.

Out & About: St. Paul Championships Day 2

#2 posting 5.10.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

ST. PAUL CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY 2

Harding swept the top honors today with Pang Thao taking the singles title and the duo of Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang taking the doubles title.

SINGLES
SEMIFINALS
In the semifinals #1 Pang Thao faced her own teammate Harding's #2 Mee Xiong who was seeded #4. Thao won 21-15, 21-6.

The first game was more of a battle with Thao taking an early 4-1 lead. Mee Xiong took a 10-7 lead on her fifth serve with four staight service points. All the points, including the previous side out were all on Thao hitting errors. Thao captured the lead on her 7th serve with four straight service points 15-11. A missed serve gave the bird back to Xiong. Both players traded side outs. Xiong broke the pattern as Thao had a net error to tighten the game to 16-14. Thao ended that with a smash. She finished up with a 5-1 run to win 21-15.

Game two ended up 21-6, but the game featured longer rallies that game one. Too give you an indication it was an average of 10.89 seconds per point in game one, 12.67 in game two. Another big difference in this game was the side out %. Thao checked in with 80% to 16.7% for Xiong. Thao had runs of five and six to push the game out to 18-4. Xiong added two points before the close.

Oddly enough both games were off by one each time for Xiong in the official book.

SIDEOUTS:
Thao 10/14 .714; Xiong 6/16 .375
SERVE RUNS:
Thao 4 (longest 6); Xiong 1 (4)
POINTS:
Thao 42. Winners 28: Drives 14 (soft 8); Smashes 7; Clears 4; Drops 3
Xiong Errors 14: hitting 14 (Net 12, Wide 2)
Xiong 21: Winners 4: Drives 3, Smashes 1
Thao Errors 17: hitting 14 (Wide 7, Net 7); Serving 3: (wide 2, net 1)
TIME: 12:14; Average Rally: 11.65 seconds.

In the other semi it was Khoua Xiong of Highland Park edged Lee Vue of Central in three. In the third game Xiong led at all breaks after taking a 3-2 lead. Xiong went up 19-14 on her 10th serve. Vue stormed back with four straight (including the side out) to tie the game. Xiong broke the tie on a drive for the side out. Xiong finished with a drive for the win.

FINALS
Thao won both games 21-7 and 21-7 (or 18-7) for the championship. Thao led from start to finish. She opened game one with a 4-0 lead. She scored on all her serves but her third. Thao's sideout game was strong too at 6/7. This was over in 4:33 meaning the average rally was 9.75 seconds.

Game two ended a lot more quickly because the scoring again was off---this time for Thao by three. I had 18-7 when the game ended. I think the problem came when Xiong had to stop to tie her shoe. After action resumed the score had inflated. Even with the shoe incident the average rally was 10.36,
Highland's Khoua Xiong is the loudest singles player around. On every play that goes for point for the opponent it is "good ups!"

SIDEOUTS:
Thao 11/13 .846; Xiong 4/14 .286
SERVE RUNS:
Thao 6 (longest 5); Xiong 0
POINTS:
Thao 39* (my charting). Winners 28: Drives 10 (6 soft); Aces 6 (short 4, deep 2); Drops 6; Clears 3; Smashes 3
Xiong Errors 11: hitting 11 (Net 9, Wide 2)
Xiong 14: Winners 9: Drops 6, Drives 2, Clears 1
Thao Errors 5: hitting 3 (Wide 2, net 1); Serving 2: (wide 1, net 1)
TIME: 8:52; Average Rally: 10.04 seconds.

DOUBLES
Since both championships were going on simultaneously I didn't get to see all of the action between the Harding pair of Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang vs. the Johnson duo of Karen Obermeyer-Kolb/Kia Thao. Johnson took the first game 22-20. Harding's pair had to win twice and they got a tight 21-19 win in game two. Xiong and Yang finished game three with a 21-14 win.

Next up: tomorrow.

A Bit of This and That

#1 posting 5.10.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

The big event today is the St. Paul City championships. Action again takes place at St. Paul Central. St. Paul runs a consolation side to the tournament too. Minneapolis did not---it was one and done on the west side of the river.

Burnsville's 5-2 loss to Highland Park is covered in the Savage Pacer.

Next up: later today with the St. Paul championship results.

Out & About: St. Paul City Day 1

#2 posting 5.9.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

ST. PAUL CITY TOURNAMENT---day 1

Today the St. Paul City tournament got underway at Central and there are four players left.
In the singles the four left are:
Pang Thao, Harding
Mee Xiong, Harding
Khoua Xiong, Highland Park
Lee Vue, Central

The doubles that are left include:
Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang Harding
Shelly Thao/Panhia Lee Como Park
Pa Yang/Nalee Xiong, Harding
Karen Obermeyer-Kolb/Kia Thao, Johnson

I was happy to get there on time. There were 10 courts with all teams providing four singles players and three doubles teams. I spent most of the day on court W3 where the singles games were taking place.
The first match up was Desirae Garcia vs Humboldt. Garcia took the first game 23-19. 23? according to my book that is what it was. Humboldt led 19-16 when Garcia got a side out and then rolled off six straight. Of the last seven points five were hitting errors.
The second game went a little quicker with Garcia taking it 21-12. She broke it open on her 7th serve with 8 straight points to make it 16-10. That run started off with two fans on Garcia's serve. A clear ended it.

The second contest that took over was Nha Phan of Central vs. Novia Josiah of Arlington. Phan steamrolled her way through this contest with a 21-5, 21-6 victory. Phan scored on each and every serve in game one. Each serve had a run of six or four. The smallest run was two on her Phan's first serve.
Phan was held scoreless on two serves, but the runs were still big. The biggest was a seven run on Phan's third serve.

Next up was a "sweet 16" round with #1 Pang Thao of Harding vs Ye Thao of Johnson. Pang had the early advantage in game one as she sprinted to a 10-1 lead after her second serve. Pang was held scoreless on two of her seven serves. Pang sided out over Ye at 50% (3/6). Pang won 21-9.
Game two started off with another roll by Pang. She opened with six straight and followed that up with four more on the second serve to lead 10-2. Ye fought back and closed to two points, the last time at 15-13. A Pang drop got the side out and she never let Ye get the serve back. Pang had five straight to close the game 21-13.

Pang Thao won her quarterfinal over Ling Wang of Arlington. She will see teammate Mee Xiong who beat Pakou Vang of Johnson in her quarterfinal.

In another "sweet 16" game it was Harding's third singles player, Stephanie King vs. Central's Nha Phan. Phan took an early lead at 3-0, King soon took advantage of Phan hitting errors to take a 5-4 lead. King broke free with three points on her 10th serve. The first two in that burst were aces. Phan closed to 16-13. King countered with another string of three counting the side out. King made use of the 11 hitting errors to win 21-15.
The second game started off with both players tightly bunched. King broke the game wide open with 8 straight service points on her 6th serve to take a large 16-6 lead. Phan got to 17-9, but King closed out with the last four points 21-9. Phan had 10 errors for King points in this game.

In the quarterfinals it was King again, this time against Khoua Xiong of Highland Park. King had maybe finished her game with Phan about 15 minutes earlier.
The first game had back and forth action with Xiong taking the early advantage at 3-0. King matched her and the game was tied at 3, King did take a 10-8 lead, but Xiong went on a 9-1 run to lead 17-11. Xiong's drop game was working overtime with 8 points at this point. King started her comeback with three straight. Xiong had a smash that handcuffed King for point 18 and then another drop for 19. King held off Xiong with three points, all Xiong hitting errors. A King hitting error gave the bird back to Xiong. King's aggressive smash got the side out and then she added two points to finish the game. One problem---I only had it 20-20. Nevertheless it was King up 1-0.

King had the early advantage and led by a couple at the breaks 6-4, 10-8. Eventually she had a three point run on her 7th serve to take a 14-10 lead. Xiong hitting errors provided 7 of the 14 points at this time. Xiong had a run of four on her 8th serve to take a 17-15 lead. Xiong maintained the lead the rest of the game. The only points King scored after that were drives on side outs. Xiong finished with two service points to make it 21-17.

King was dehydrated and took a longer break between game two and three. It didn't rejuvenate her though. Xiong jumped out to a 14-3 lead with 10 straigth points on her fourth serve. Both players had traded side outs at that point. Xiong used a variety of shots to grab the lead. Xiong put the game on the verge at 19-8. King found her second wind at this stage. She got a side out and then made use of three Xiong hitting errors to close to 19-12. A missed serve gave the bird back to Xiong. King sided out with a drop and then had five straight service points to make it 20-18. A deep bird by King ended it for a 21-18 win for Xiong. This was the last contest of the day and all eyes were there.

Next up: tomorrow morning.

Highland Drops Burnsville

#1 posting 5.9.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

Highland Park bumped off Burnsville 5-2 in a non con game yesterday.

The day before, in late St. Paul action, Harding swept Highland 7-0. Johnson bounced back from Friday's loss with a 6-1 win over Como Park.

Today St. Paul starts their city tournament. I believe it is at Central. I will try to get there. I figure half a loaf is better than no loaf.

Yesterday Minneapolis had their city championships. I reported (second hand) on the results. There was confusion on what day the event was going to take place, I thought I heard Wednesday. It was Tuesday. Here are the champs:
Singles: Bee Xiong, South; 2nd: Chui Mai Thao, Edison
Doubles: Yer Yang/Choua Yang, Henry (2nd team); 2nd: Julie Lor/PaNhia Xiong, Edison. This was an upset.

Next up: Later tonight with a report on the St. Paul City championships.