HMONG ACADEMY 5, TRINITY 2

Today was a first for me—–This was the first time I made it over to Trinity of River Ridge (which is in Eagan). I had not been to the school for volleyball, or basketball, but it took a badminton match to break the string. Hmong Academy, the school without a home match this year, topped the newcomers to the badminton scene 5-2. The Tri-Hawks took third singles and second doubles for their wins. Singles proved to be the most competitive with the margin only 1.75 per set. Catherine Kieffer of Trinity actually had deep margins in her win at third singles with both sets greater than ten. Twice during the contest sets went to 23-21 with each school claiming a share. Hmong Academy took theirs in the first set at fourth singles, while Trinity used it in the first set at second doubles.

For those that don’t know, Trinity is in the shadow of the new Viking practice facility on the south side of 494 in Eagan.

SINGLES
1. Neng Thao, HA def Maria Lotti 21-16, 21-14
2. PZ Yang, HA def Catherine Putzier 21-6, 21-18
3. Catherine Kieffer, T def Pazong Yang 21-10, 21-9
4. Amy Vang, HA def Maggie Kocon 23-21, 21-16

DOUBLES
1. Helena/Sun, HA def Bekah Bittner/Maria Kisch 21-11, 21-15
2. Anna Mayer/Emma Miller, T def Emily/Haily 23-21, 21-18
3. Pajda/Shylene, HA def Grace Flynn/Kaity Kisch 21-13, 21-9

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Hmong Academy 3-1 .750
Games: Hmong Academy 6-2 .750
points: Hmong Academy 147-133 .525
decided by 10+: Trinity 2-1 .667
decided by 3-: Hmong Academy 2-0 1.000
margin: Hmong Academy 1.750
DOUBLES
Matches: Hmong Academy 2-1 .667
Games: Hmong Academy 4-2 .667
points: Hmong Academy 123-92 .572
decided by 10+: Hmong Academy 2-0 1.000
decided by 3-: Trinity 2-0 1.000
margin: Hmong Academy 5.167

FIRST SINGLES

Neng THAO 2, Maria LOTTI 0
(21-16, 21-14)

Hmong Academy’s Neng Thao edged out Maria Lotti in two sets at first singles. This match had a heavy impact on taking advantage of errors committed by the other. Winners were few and far between. Thao had 17 for the match, about a 40% clip. Thao also sided out at 58% stopping. Her best side out string came in the second half when she stopped Lotti four straight services.

Host Lotti started the match with the first three points (all errors from Thao). That would be her only string of three or more in the first set. Thao didn’t take the lead until her first run of the day, the largest of the day as well, at six (9-5). For some reason I had 22 points for Thao in the first set. I don’t think there was a replay involved.

In set two Lotti again led early, but it was razor thin at 2-1 and 3-2. Thao, at about the same point in the first set, used a four point run to take command 9-5. On her next service she added three more for a 12-6 advantage. Lotti rallied with a run of four to close the gap to 16-13 capped by a five stroke drop. Neng recovered and closed with four straight started by a two stroke smash.

Category	THAO	LOTTI
Side out	11/19-.579	8/20-.400
3+ Runs	6	2
Longest point string	6	4
SERVING
Service points	24	11
Serving %	41/44-.932	25/29-.862
Point generated off serve	.558	.367
Short/ pts w	none	16/6-.375
Deep/ pts w	44/24-.558	13/5-.385
POINTS
Overall points	43	30
Points after 11	21	17
Points after own errors	10	9
STROKES
Strokes	163	116
Strokes per point	3.791	3.867
5+ rallies	14(.326)	10(.333)
2- rallies	18(.419)	9(.300)
WINNERS	17(.395)	10(.333)
Aces	0	0
Blocks	1(.059)	0
Clears	5(.294)	3(.300)
Drives	4(.235)	1(.100)
Drops	1(.059)	4(.400)
Soft drives	3(.176)	2(.200)
Smashes	3(.176)	0
ERRORS	20(.667)	25(.581)
Deep	2(.100)	6(.240)
Fan	1(.050)	0
Net	10(.500)	11(.440)
Wide	4(.200)	4(.160)
Serve	3(.150)	4(.160)
WINNER LOCATION
Back line	5(.294)	3(.300)
Middle	6(.353)	1(.100)
Front line	6(.353)	6(.600)
Left	12(.706)	4(.400)
Right	5(.294)	6(.600)
W:E Ratio	0.850	.400
Margin	6.500
Set Point %	2/4-.500
Time	15:35.09