Dunman overcome Cedar 2-1 to top Group D in National B Division Volleyball

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.

Presbyterian High School, Monday, March 8, 2010 - Dunman Secondary edged out Cedar Girls’ Secondary 2-1 (25-16, 16-25, 25-18) in a Group D match at the National B Division Girls Volleyball Championship. Both teams had come into the game with similar win-loss records, and the winner of this match would top the group.

Dunman took the first point when Lenis (Cedar #13) served the ball out. Dunman took the next point as well when Xinying (Cedar #4) tried to receive Huijie's (Dunman #7) serve with a set, but failed. Cedar quickly pulled back to 2-2 following a serve into the net by Huijie (Dunman #7), and a powerful spike by Joan (Cedar #10).

Dunman went all out to sustain their lead, and centre spiker (Jia En #2) piled on the pressure against Cedar, who were struggling to get into the game. Before long, Dunman took a 12-6 lead, prompting Cedar to call for a time out.

Cedar were making several unforced errors, gifting Dunman many crucial points. Dunman continued chalking up points whereas Cedar could not break past the six-point mark. Point after point, it was when the score stood at 19-6, did Cedar call for another time out.

Cedar broke Dunman's scoring streak Lenis (Cedar #13) stuffed out a spike by Dunman. Weiyu (Dunman #3) then spiked into the net for Cedar to take the next point as well. With renewed confidence, Cedar tried their best to narrow the score. It was a Herculean task, with a determined Dunman going all out to prevent a comeback from Cedar. Dunman were soon at set point (24-16) after a powerful spike from Jia En (Dunman #2) deflected off a Cedar player. Dunman sealed the set after Joan (Cedar #10) could not get her spike over.

Two good spikes from the outside saw Cedar take the first two points. Xinying (Cedar #4) spiked into the net on the next rally, but took back service for Cedar with a well placed drop shot. Cedar quickly stepped up to their game and surged forward, leading to a time out by Dunman at the 10-5 mark.

The tables seemed to be turned on Dunman, as it was now Cedar's turn to surge ahead. Another time out by Dunman at the 17-10 mark proved no relief as Cedar continued raging ahead. However, Dunman were not going to go down without a fight as they held Cedar at the 20-point mark for some time.

The catch up was enough for Cedar to call a time out at the 20-15 mark. Rallying the Cedar team, Cedar took the second set 25-16 after a Dunman player was ruled to have made an illegal contact of the ball across the net.

It was now down to the crucial rubber set to determine the winner. The game seemed like it could sway in either team's favour, and it kept everyone on edge. Cedar took the first two points after a serve out of bounds by Jia En (Dunman #2), followed by a light serve by Lenis (Cedar #13) which saw Dunman unable to receive. However, Dunman were not going to let a situation like the second set happen again as they fought hard to keep the score close. They took the lead away from Cedar, and held a slender advantage over their opponents. At the changeover, Dunman led by three points at 13-10.

Capitalising on their advantage, Dunman tried to extend their lead over Cedar. At the 15-11 mark, Cedar called for a time out in a bid to break Dunman's scoring streak, but it proved no relief as Dunman continued holding Cedar at the 11-point mark, at one point leading 17-11

It was at the 21-16 mark when Cedar called for another time out. Two consecutive points garnered by Cedar was enough for Dunman to call for a time out. This time, they were not going to let Cedar catch up, as they took the next two points to lead 23-18.

Dunman soon saw themselves at match point after the Cedar #6's spike from the outside went out of bounds. Dunman took home the last point, after stuffing out Lenis's (Cedar #13) spike from the opposite side.

With three wins to their name, Dunman top Group D whereas Cedar are in second place with two wins, and one loss. Both teams qualify for the quarter-finals, pipping the other two teams in their group, Woodlands Ring Secondary and Bukit Panjang Government High.

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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