St. Paul Harding High School currently tops the Week 2 rankings in Minnesota girls’ high school badminton, a surprising development considering defending champion Edina remains undefeated. The shift at the top reflects a dynamic start to the 2026 season, which officially began on March 12th. The rankings, compiled by Kevin Anderson, director of the Minnesota State High School League badminton state tournament, are based on results from 31 of 32 eligible teams as of March 29th.
Edina, aiming for a remarkable fourth consecutive state championship, holds the No. 2 spot despite a flawless 2-0 record. This illustrates the competitive balance within Minnesota high school badminton, where early-season form and head-to-head results are heavily weighted. St. Paul Johnson, a program steeped in history with the most state championships in the state, occupies the third position with a 4-1 record.
Individual Standings: Vue Leads the Way
Leading the charge in singles competition is Gao Zhia Vue of St. Paul Harding. Vue, who finished as the 2025 state tournament runner-up, boasts a perfect 5-0 record this season. She’s followed closely by Amanda Her of St. Paul Johnson, establishing a compelling rivalry early in the year. Niko Solheid and Tsuki Solheid of St. Paul Como Park are ranked third and fourth respectively, while Isabel Chen of Minnetonka rounds out the top five in singles play.
Doubles Dominance: Edina Sets the Pace
In doubles, Daisy Hennington-Hoff and Ella Burke of Edina are currently the team to beat. They lead the rankings, showcasing Edina’s overall strength in the sport. Alice Verbrugge and Violet Solem Valentine of St. Paul Highland Park are ranked second, followed by Cammie Yang and Aliya Vang of St. Paul Johnson in third. Gray Mo and Cindy Yang of St. Paul Harding and Lwe Paw and Way Ber Paw of St. Paul Humboldt complete the top five doubles pairings.
The early season has already provided some intriguing results. St. Paul Como Park notably defeated St. Paul Harding in the third-place match at the 2025 state tournament, a result that likely influenced the current rankings. Eden Prairie also finds itself in the top five, demonstrating the depth of talent across the state.
Team Rankings: The Top Five
- St. Paul Harding (5-0)
- Edina (2-0)
- St. Paul Johnson (4-1)
- Eden Prairie
- St. Paul Como Park
It’s worth noting that the Week 1 rankings, released on March 22nd, were based on incomplete data, as several teams hadn’t yet begun their season. The Week 2 rankings offer a more comprehensive view of the landscape, but the season is still young and subject to change.
For those unfamiliar with the structure of Minnesota high school badminton, teams compete in both singles and doubles matches, with points awarded for each victory. The team with the most points at the end of the match wins. The state tournament, a culmination of the regular season, features both team and individual competitions.
The next key date for Minnesota high school badminton fans will be as schedules progress and more matches are played, allowing for further refinement of the rankings. Keep an eye on the Minnesota State High School League website for updated standings and tournament information. The competition promises to be fierce as teams vie for a chance to compete for the state championship.
What do you consider of the current rankings? Will St. Paul Harding maintain its position at the top, or will Edina reclaim its crown? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
