Xinmin overcome Shuqun to win 2-1 in National B Division Girls Volleyball

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Presbyterian High School, Monday, March 1, 2010 - Xinmin Secondary came back from one set down to beat Shuqun Secondary 2-1 (23-25, 26-24, 27-25) in a hard-fought Group A match at the National B Division Girls Volleyball Championship.

Xinmin started the first set well, blitzing to a 6-1 lead. A time out by the Shuqun coach got the team's engine started and they fought their way back to tie 9-9. Despite leveling the scores again at 16-16 later in the set, mistakes by Shuqun saw Xinmin take a crucial lead at 20-17.

A Shuqun timeout enabled the players to gather themselves to catch up at 21-21. After a series of intense rallies, the score stood at 23-23 from a spike by Felicia (Xinmin #12). Her spike seemed to be going out of bounds but it clipped the back line to fool the Shuqun team.

Amanda (Shuqun #11) spiked a cross court shot, catching Felicia (Xinmin #12) out of position to bring Shuqun to set point. Then, Jaime (Xinmin #18) mis-hit her spike on the next rally, sending the ball out of bounds and gifting Shuqun the set.

Shuqun were on a high, hoping to take down the next set quick. They charged to a 6-2 lead, leaving Xinmin struggling to catch up. However, Xinmin were not going to let the early setback put them down, as they fought on point by point.

Shuqun maintained their foothold, but Xinmin were always hot on their heels. Shuqun, facing tremendous pressure from Xinmin, were trying all means to fend off the counter-attack. Alas, Xinmin staged a comeback, and turned the tables on Shuqun to lead 19-18.

As the rally drew to a close, the intensity of the match grew. Both teams were neck and neck, and the score was at 22-22 after Qihui’s (Xinmin #6) spike off the Shuqun block found an empty spot in Shuqun's court.

Rachael (Xinmin #1) unfortunately served the next ball out to let Shuqun go one up. The Shuqun #13 returned the favour by serving the ball out of bounds as well, leveling the score at 23-23.

Xinmin saw themselves at set point when Amanda's (Shuqun #11) cross court spike from the opposite corner went out of bounds. An unfortunate net touch by the Xinmin spiker at the next rally saw the game come to a deuce. Felicia (Xinmin #12) then brought her team to set point with a spike to the left corner and her team was gifted the set after Fernanda's (Shuqun #1) spike from the outside went out of bounds.

The rubber set started off with a long rally, with Fernanda (Shuqun #1) taking the first point with a drop shot. Qihui (Xinmin #6) quickly equalized with a spike down from the outside. However, Shuqun took back control of the game and took an early 6-2 lead. Xinmin knew what was at stake, and fought hard to catch up, eventually overtaking Shuqun. At the changeover, Xinmin led 13-10.

From then on, the score was close, with the teams tied at 22-22 after a good serve from the Xinmin #5. Her next serve unfortunately found the net for Shuqun to lead 23-22. Kavis (Shuqun #6) brought the team to set point with a well placed serve of her own. However, Xinmin were determined to hold off Shuqun, and took the next point.

A tight rally ensued, and strong pressure from Xinmin prevented Shuqun from returning the ball, bringing the team one point away at 23-24. A timeout by Shuqun was called for the players to gather themselves to battle for that one last point. However, Fernanda (Shuqun #1) spun her spike from the outside out of bounds to allow the game to enter a deuce.

Rosanna (Shuqun #8) then forced a touch out from Qihui (Xinmin #6) to go one up. However, she undid the team's advantage when she served into the net.

Shuqun's failure to seal the game at that crucial moment came back to haunt them, as their spike into the block at the next rally saw Xinmin reach game point. Jaime (Xinmin #18) then sealed the game for her team with a hard hit spike down from the centre.

Xinmin and Shuqun are drawn in Group A with Ngee Ann and Yuying Secondary. Ngee Ann had beaten Yuying 2-1 (25-19, 10-25, 25-18) the previous Friday, and together with Xinmin, have one win to their name.

The next Group A match will see Xinmin play Ngee Ann on Thursday, March 4 at 1.40pm. All B and C Division Girls matches are held at Presbyterian High School.

More photos in the gallery.

Editor’s note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates in any of the photos, please feel free to leave the names behind and we will update accordingly. Thanks!

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