FIRST DAY AT ST. PAUL CITY TOURNAMENT
The first day of the St. Paul Conference tournament, a launching pad for state, presented a few surprises as the field was whittled down to the final fours in singles and doubles. #1 singles were toppled by #3 singles. A potential state semifinal was played in the quarterfinals in this event. There were an abundance of three setters too.
Let’s start with upsets. Perhaps the biggest upset was Como Park’s Nico Solheid, ranked #4 in the last poll, was taken down in three by Johnson’s third singles Kelly Sheen, who a few weeks ago was toiling at fourth singles. Solheid had a bye in the first round while Sheen got in a match. Solheid wasn’t the only first singles to go down. Humboldt’s Kpru Paw (#8 ranked) fell to teammate Lah Sher Poe, also a third singles. Poe won in two with extra points needed in set one 24-22, before finishing 21-19. Poe was dropped in the quarterfinals by #6 ranked Nica Johnson of Highland Park but it was three sets with the last set 21-18.
Tsuki Solheid, Como Park’s second singles (and #5 ranked), lost for the first time this season. The clock struck midnight on her unbeaten season in the quarterfinals. Her opponent? #1 seed and #1 ranked Gao Zhia Vue of Harding. That match lasted three sets too. This was a match up worthy of the state semis, but Solheid was the eighth seed in this tournament. There will be more on this tomorrow when the numbers are crunched.
That means the final four will consist of two Johnson players (Sheen and #2 ranked Amanda Her), Vue and Johnson.
There were six three setters in singles, four in doubles.
The final four in doubles also include two Johnson groups #2 ranked Gaonou Vang and Angelina Thao and #4 ranked Shalisha Vang and Krystal Moua. Joining the Governors pairs are #12 ranked Lwe Paw and Way Ber Paw of Humboldt and #6 ranked Gray Mo and Cindy Yang of Harding.
Other ranked pairs lost out at some point. #9 Kelly Yang and Lydia Vang of Harding lost in the quarters to the Hawk pair. #3 ranked Alice Verbrugge and Violet Solem Valentine of Highland Park fell to Vang & Moua. #5 ranked Cammie Yang and Aliya Vang of Johnson pushed Harding’s Gray Mo and Cindy Yang in three sets in the second round. #8 Asta Ket and Lana Yang of Como Park lost in the second round in two sets.
TOMORROW THE NUMBERS IN THE VUE / TSUKI SOLHEID WILL BE PUBLISHED.