Liang, Meiluawati Advance to Badminton Finals

Fountain Valley’s Alex Liang and Orange’s Meiluawati advanced to today’s finals of the National Badminton Championships in Orange.

The top-seeded Liang defeated Khankham Malaythong of Orange, 15-5, 15-10, in a men’s singles semifinal and will take on second-seeded Kevin Han in the final. Han rallied to beat fellow Orange resident Howard Bach, 11-15, 15-12, 15-3.

In women’s singles, Meiluawati, the top seed, routed Elie Wu of Alhambra, 11-0, 11-2, and will face Cindy Shi of Orange in the final. The second-seeded Shi defeated Bonnie Wong, also of Orange, 11-1, 11-3, in the semifinals.

Malaythong teamed with Amarit Rojsirivit of Alta Loma to advance to the final in men’s doubles. They will face Han and Bach.

Meiluawati and Shi advanced to the women’s doubles final, and will play Janis Tan and Wu of Alhambra.

Liang and Julie Yu of Alhambra advanced to the mixed doubles final.

BASKETBALL

Vanguard point guard Becki Huddle earned NAIA honorable mention All-American honors for the second consecutive year. Huddle was a two-time All-Golden State Athletic Conference selection who led Vanguard in games started, free throws made, assists, steals and minutes played.

She averaged 11.6 points and 4.7 rebounds this past season.