Edina Reclaims Top Spot in Minnesota Girls Badminton State Rankings
The landscape of Minnesota high school girls badminton shifted in the latest state poll, as Edina, the 2025 team champion, has ascended to the No. 1 position. The Week 3 rankings, released on April 5 and compiled by Minnesota State High School League badminton state tournament director Kevin Anderson, reflect a volatile start to the 2026 season, with several top teams trading places following key head-to-head matchups.
Team Standings: Edina and St. Paul Johnson Rise
Edina’s move to the top comes at the expense of St. Paul Harding, which suffered its first loss of the season and dropped from No. 1 to No. 3. Meanwhile, St. Paul Johnson, a program with the most state championships in Minnesota history, climbed to the No. 2 spot.
The most significant movement in the team rankings occurred further down the list. St. Paul Highland Park surged four spots to land at No. 5, although the Math & Science Academy Dragons climbed three positions to reach No. 7.
Current Top 10 Team Rankings (Week 3):
- 1. Edina (4-0)
- 2. St. Paul Johnson (6-1)
- 3. St. Paul Harding (6-1)
- 4. Eden Prairie (3-0)
- 5. St. Paul Highland Park (4-5)
- 6. St. Paul Como Park (4-5)
- 7. Math & Science Academy (5-2)
- 8. St. Paul Humboldt (4-5)
- 9. St. Paul Central (4-5)
- 10. St. Paul Washington (2-6)
Singles Power Shift: Amanda Her Takes the Lead
The singles rankings saw a dramatic change at the summit. Amanda Her of St. Paul Johnson has overtaken St. Paul Harding’s Gao Zhia Vue for the No. 1 ranking. This shift follows a direct head-to-head victory by Her over Vue last week. Vue, who was the runner-up in the 2025 singles state tournament, previously held the top spot through Week 2.
Other notable movements in the singles category include:
- Nica Johnson (St. Paul Highland Park): Moved up two spots to No. 5.
- Evelyn Ge (Edina): The biggest mover of the week, returning to the rankings at No. 8 after being outside the top 10 previously.
Doubles Consistency and Recent Results
While team and singles rankings shifted, the doubles rankings remained largely unchanged. The top-ranked tandem remains Daisy Hennington-Hoff and Ella Burke of Edina. They are followed by Alice Verbrugge and Violet Solem Valentine of St. Paul Highland Park at No. 2, and Cammie Yang and Aliya Vang of St. Paul Johnson at No. 3.
Recent match results continue to shape the competitive field. On April 6, Minneapolis Roosevelt secured a dominant 7-0 victory over Burnsville, signaling their presence as a threat in the Minneapolis City circuit.
Key Takeaways: 2026 Season Outlook
- Season Start: The 2026 high school badminton season officially began on March 12.
- Dominant Programs: Edina and St. Paul Johnson currently lead the state in team and individual rankings.
- Ranking Authority: All state rankings and records are compiled by Kevin Anderson of the MSHSL.
As the season progresses toward the state tournament in May, the battle for the No. 1 spot remains tight, with Edina’s championship pedigree facing off against the rising momentum of the St. Paul programs.
Worth a look