North Zone B Div Vball: Xinmin secure semi-final spot after beating defending champs Presbyterian High

Presbyterian High, Thursday, February 9, 2012 — They were staring elimination in the face and playing in a do-or-die match to ensure a semi-final spot. Few had expected them to beat the 2011 North Zone defending champions. But rise to the challenge they certainly did.

Xinmin Secondary proved all their doubters wrong when they defeated Presbyterian High 2-0 (25-21, 25-21) in their final Round 2, Group Y match of the North Zone B Division Girls’ Volleyball Championship to secure a semi-final spot at the expense of Chung Cheng High (Yishun).

Having lost to Chung Cheng High (Yishun) in an earlier match, Xinmin needed a decisive win in their match against Presbyterian High to have any chance at progressing. But with Presbyterian High having beaten Chung Cheng High (Yishun) 25-16, 25-17, it did not seem like Xinmin would stand a chance.

A spirited Xinmin however, managed to dictate play early in the game, putting up 28 kills compared to Presbyterian High’s 16 kills. Presbyterian High struggled in their attacks as they could not find ways to break Xinmin’s defense. Xinmin, whose morale was high, exploited Presbyterian High’s weaknesses and forced several touch-outs to earn many valuable points.

Presbyterian High also put up several credible attacks, particularly from their centre spikers. But their repeated balls to the left corner were constantly saved by Xinmin subset Blessance Toh (#12).

The first set started with both teams tied 4-4. Xinmin were clearly well settled into the game as they quickly pulled ahead to lead 8-4 after several strong serves by Hui Shi (Xinmin #11). The match was played at a very fast pace as each tried to outdo the other.

Xinmin built up on their momentum and continued with the lead in hand. Despite a time out by Presbyterian High at the 15-9 mark, it could not break their tempo as they raced ahead to take set point after Tang Kim Choo (Xinmin #7) spiked the ball out of bounds off the Presbyterian High block.

Xinmin however could not finish off the set as repeated errors in their spikes allowed Presbyterian High to hold off four set points. A timeout by Xinmin at this point managed to settle their nerves as Kim Choo (Xinmin #7) sealed the last point with a spike off the Presbyterian High block.

Presbyterian High appeared to be a little shaken by the loss of the first set but looked keen to take back the match. Some good play in the start of the second set allowed them to take the lead 6-5. Xinmin however regained their momentum and stole the lead. Presbyterian High simply could not finish off and frustration could be seen in their spikers as they could not score a kill.

Xinmin raced ahead, and soon established a commanding lead at 19-11. Two timeouts by Presbyterian High at the 13-8 mark and 17-9 could not do much as Xinmin continued their winning form.

Despite trailing by a large margin, Presbyterian High were determined to close in as much as they could. Slowly but steadily, they took point after point even as Xinmin edged closer to set point. Coupled with errors by Xinmin, Presbyterian High narrowed the score to 22-16, prompting a timeout by Xinmin.

However, Presbyterian High continued their catchup and held Xinmin at bay, narrowing the score difference to five points at 23-18. Hui Shi (Xinmin #11) subsequently managed to take set point for the team after her spike was deflected out of bounds by Michelle (Presbyterian High #14).

Presbyterian High were not going to go down easy and continued putting up a fight, holding off three set points via strong serves from Wong Fang Ting (Presbyterian High #13), prompting Xinmin to call for another timeout with the score standing at 24-21.

The timeout work as Presbyterian High served out of bounds at the restart, giving Xinmin the win.

With all three teams in the group having three points and identical one-win, one-loss records, Xinmin prevailed on the count back. Despite their loss, Presbyterian High can at least take comfort that they still managed to finish top of the group.

Presbyterian High will play Sembawang Secondary on Monday, February 13th, in the semi-finals, while Xinmin will take on Group X leaders Anderson Secondary in the other semi-final.

Final score
Xinmin 2 Presbyterian High 0
25-21, 25-21

Xinmin Secondary vs Presbyterian High - Match Statistics

Group Y standings [Teams who win by a scoreline of 2-0 are awarded 3 points. Those who win 2-1 are awarded 2 points while their opponents are awarded 1 point]

For more photos, go to the next page.