Johnson picked up their twelfth  team state title with a 4-3 win over Washington at Eden Prairie Wednesday afternoon. The Governors locked in the win with a three set win at third doubles. At the time Johnson led 3-1 with three contests moving to the third set.  Alexis Xiong and Lena Nguyen lost the first set 21-14 and then won the next two sets 21-17, 21-16.

I spent the day dialed in on the first singles with the Johnson / Highland semi and then the championship with Johnson and Washington. For the day both Cinderella Nwe of Washington and HaNeul Jeong-McDonell of Highland won twice. Cinderella’s margins were six vs Maddie Blackbourn of Burnsville, HJM was 2.5 . Against Yeng Lai Thao of Johnson Cinderella’s margin was 11, HJM 8.5. The match ups today at first singles could have been a preview of the singles semifinals to be held at Edina tomorrow.

In the semis HaNeul picked up runs on two of her first three services and she held Yeng Lai Thao scoreless her first six services. In the second set HJM got off to a quick 5-0 lead . HJM’s side out game was strong again holding YLT scoreless seven straight serves. YLT missed five serves in those two sets.

Cinderella had similar results against YLT in her championship match up. The first set was back and forth early with a 12 all tie. But Cinderella closed with a 9-3 finish. Cinderella trailed 2-0 before running of eight straight. YLT was only able to get four more services in and Cinderella was not allowing points to get away from her. She closed strongly again with a 10-2 finish after taking a 11-5 lead.

Comparing Cinderella’s and HaNeul’s winners shows Cinderella converting more 21-12. A combination of power and finesse ruled Cinderella’s winners with smashes and soft drives coming in equally at nine each. HaNeul’s ability to paint the deep corners on clears was her favorite winner with five.

Cinderella cut back on self inflicted errors in the second set going from ten to four. In the first set alone Nwe missed four serves. She only misfired on one in the second.

These two are the #1 and #2 seeds in the tournament tomorrow. Will they meet in a rematch of the St. Paul City title? We will soon find out.

SEMIFINALS

JOHNSON 5, HIGHLAND PARK 2

SINGLES

1. HaNeul Jeong-McDonell, HP def Yeng Lai Thao 21-11, 21-14
2. Sunshine Vang, HP def Nicharee Lee 19-21, 21-14, 21-14
3. Sandy Vang, J def Phlower Vang 21-15, 17-21, 21-17
4. Victoria, J def Elsie Olive 21-5, 21-9

DOUBLES

1. Ashley Her / Birdy Xiong, J def Chor Yang / Satori Soulisak-Hoang 21-8, 21-7
2. Faith Moua/ Hope Moua, J def Ella Alden-Pope / Tsheng Yang 21-7, 21-16
3. Lena Nguyen / Alexis Xiong, J def Katia Gercheva / Ellie Boudet 21-7, 21-17

WASHINGTON 6, BURNSVILLE 1

SINGLES

1. Cinderella Nwe, W def Maddie Blackbourn 21-15, 21-15
2. Rain Htoo, W def Mina 21-14, 21-15
3. Britney, W def Jasmine 21-12, 20-22, 22-20
4. Josey Lee, W def Molly 21-18, 21-8

DOUBLES

1. Dun Htoo / Cho Cho Oo, W def Corinna / Kenzie 21-17, 21-14
2. Lisa / Leah, B def Ariel / Paw Eh 21-15, 21-7
3. Puja / La Joe, W def Sherlyn / Bonnie 21-16, 19-21, 21-17

THIRD PLACE

BURNSVILLE 4, HIGHLAND PARK 3

SINGLES

1. HaNeul Jeong-McDonell, HP def Maddie Blackbourn 21-18, 21-19
2. Sunshine Vang, HP def Mina 21-18, 21-18
3. Phlower Vang, HP def Jasmine 21-15, 21-15
4. Molly, B def Elsie Olive 21-16, 17-21, 21-14

DOUBLES

1. Corinna / Kenzie, B def Chor Yang / Satori Soulisak-Hoang 21-23, 21-19, 21-9
2. Lisa / Leah, B def Ella Alden-Pope / Tsheng Yang 21-8, 23-21
3. Sherlyn / Bonnie, B def Katia Gercheva / Ellie Boudet 16-21, 21-14, 21-17

CHAMPIONSHIP

JOHNSON 4, WASHINGTON 3

SINGLES

1. Cinderella Nwe, W def Yeng Lai Thao 21-15, 21-7
2. Rain Htoo, W def Nicharee Lee 21-16, 17-21, 21-15
3. Sandy Vang, J def Britney 21-14, 21-15
4. Josey Lee, W def Victoria 21-17, 14-21, 21-19

DOUBLES

1. Ashley Her / Birdy Xiong, J def Dun Htoo / Cho Cho Oo 21-19, 21-10
2. Faith Moua/ Hope Moua, J def Ariel / Paw Eh 21-11, 21-12
3. Lena Nguyen/ Alexis Xiong, J def Puja / La Joe 14-21, 21-17, 21-16