Xinmin beat Dunman 2-1 in exciting U-16 volleyball match

Story and photos by REDintern Koh Yizhe.

Hougang Sports Hall, Sunday, November 9, 2008 – Xinmin Secondary emerged victorious against Dunman Secondary (Discoverers) in a Round 2, Group X match at the 2008 National U-16 Boys Junior Volleyball Championship.

They did so in dramatic fashion, coming back from a set down to win 2-1 (25-27, 25-23, 20-18). It was a pulsating encounter with both sides equally determined to get a win, pushing each other to their limits in every set.

Xinmin didn't have the best of starts, losing the first two points. The first serve by the Xinmin #11 was out of bounds and they lost the second point when they were unable to handle a strong spike by Dunman’s outside hitter #11.

What was to follow was a tight set with long rallies. Both teams were neck and neck with no clear dominator of the game. At times, unforced errors from both sides seemed to be moving the score instead of quality play. It was almost about who made the least mistakes rather than who had better skill. However, this was not a game with boring rallies and free balls but killer spikes and brave defending.

Knowing this wouldn't get them anywhere, Dunman stepped up their pressure and scored four successive points to pull away at 15-11, forcing Xinmin to call for a timeout.

The timely break did wonders for Xinmin as they closed the gap in a thrilling end to the first set. A spike from the Xinmin #9 pulled his team to within one at 20-21. Both teams then traded points as well as the lead. This time, quality serves and spikes were thrown from one court to the other.

Xinmin #8 deserves mention as he made multiple crucial spikes when Dunman were at set point. However, he could do nothing to stop the Dunman #9 from making two consecutive unstoppable spikes which gave Dunman the first set at 27-25.

Dunman continued where they left off after the restart with their #1 getting the first point. From then on, they continued the momentum from the first set to race to a 10-6 lead. Once again, Xinmin wisely called a timeout in an attempt to break Dunman’s momentum. Just like in the first set, it proved successful as Xinmin soon tied the game at 12-12. Good movement around the team was key with their #8 and #17 showing their quality with strong spikes against the opposition.

Nothing could separate the two teams as the score remained close. At the 22-22 mark, the Dunman #10 attempted at a spike down the line, but it went agonisingly wide. This gave Xinmin a slender but important 23-22 lead. Unfortunately for Dunman, their #10 followed his unsuccessful spike with a failed drop shot when he tipped the ball into the net to give Xinmin set point.

Despite saving one set point with a powerful spike from their #6, Dunman let the set go at 23-25 when their #11 touched the net, bringing Xinmin back on level terms at one set apiece.

Dunman was however quick to recover from the loss of the second set. They got the first two points of the rubber set with a spike to the back from Dunman #16, followed by a spike from their #9 which was impossible to retrieve for the Xinmin #11.

But, like the previous two sets, Xinmin were always within striking distance of Dunman. It wasn’t long before a spike from the Dunman #11 went wide, giving Xinmin the lead at 10-9.

Soon, Xinmin climbed to set and match point at 14-13. However, a spike from the Dunman #1 brought the game to a deuce. Another strong spike from Dunman #6 gave Dunman a brief lead at 15-14.

Both teams then slowly and nervously traded the lead, saving game point after game point. Everyone watched with bated breath as there was no clear winner right at that point. Every point scored was met with cheers which erupted from supporters on the sidelines.

At the 18-18 mark, the Dunman # 1 served into the net to give Xinmin a match point yet again. Then a perfect block by the Xinmin #9 finally ended the set 20-18 to give his team ultimate victory.

Final score: 2-1 (25-27, 25-23, 20-18)

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