Cedar Girls’ hold off Bukit Panjang Govt High to win 2-0 in C Division volleyball quarter-finals

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Presbyterian High School, Monday, March 22, 2010 - Defending champions Cedar Girls' Secondary held off a persistent Bukit Panjang Government High to win 2-0 (25-22, 25-21) in the quarter-finals of the National C Division Girls Volleyball Championship.

Cedar took the first point of the game with an ace from Jasmine Tan (Cedar #11). Jodie (Bukit Panjang #7) then deflected Jasmine's serve out of bounds to see Cedar take another point. However, Jasmine served her next ball out of bounds for Bukit Panjang to take serve. Wanqing (Bukit Panjang #8) took a point when Cedar could not get to her serve in time. However, she served into the net for Cedar to take back the game.

Cedar upped their tempo and took an early 9-4 lead. However, Claire Teo (Cedar #9) saw a few of her spikes from the opposite corner find the net for Bukit Panjang to close in. The score remained tight, with Cedar having a slight advantage.

Bukit Panjang were hot on Cedar's heels, and were one point away from Cedar at the 21-20 mark but Cedar did not let Bukit Panjang get further and surged ahead. Cedar were soon at set point when Bukit Panjang gave a return into the net.

Bukit Panjang denied Cedar a quick win when they hooked a ball towards Claire (Cedar #9) that the latter could not receive. Gwyneth (Cedar #5) accidentally executed a drop shot into the net for Bukit Panjang to close in further, leading to a time out by Cedar.

Cedar finally took home the first set with a strong spike from Jasmine, who deflected her spike off the Bukit Panjang blocker into an empty spot.

Gwyneth (Cedar #5) started off the second set with a spike down the line from the opposite corner. Cedar went ahead to take a 4-0 lead. Bukit Panjang centre spiker Xinyi (#6) led several of Bukit Panjang's attacks, powering down several good spikes. However, they were picked up by Cedar for a series of exciting rallies to ensue.

Bukit Panjang pressed hard, and erased Cedar's lead to level at 4-4. Bukit Panjang then went one up over Cedar when Xinyi (Bukit Panjang #6) spiked to an empty spot. However, Bukit Panjang's setter sent her drop shot out of bounds to level the score again.

Cedar finally broke free after several good spikes from Guting (Cedar #6). A time out by Bukit Panjang was called at the 15-12 mark, and this marked the start of Bukit Panjang's comeback. They saw themselves level with Cedar at 15-15 again after Guting (Cedar #6) spiked the ball out.

However, Agnes (Bukit Panjang #15) could not serve over and Cedar had the advantage once again. A bad return from Bukit Panjang into the hands a waiting Claire (Cedar #9) saw Claire stuff it out with a quick counter attack.

Cedar pulled ahead once again to lead 21-16, the last point being from an ace from Guting (Cedar #6). Cedar were close to finishing the game, but they had trouble taking down the last two points. A Cedar time-out was called at the 23-19 mark, and upon resumption, Claire (Cedar #9) spiked into an empty spot to bring the team to match point.

Alas, Agnes (Bukit Panjang #15) sent a spike straight at Claire (Cedar #9), forcing the latter for a touch-out to deny Cedar a quick win. Bukit Panjang took another point when Cedar could not organize the ball across.

It was Jasmine (Cedar #11) who took home the set for Cedar once again as her spike from the outside saw Bukit Panjang unable to receive.

Cedar and Bukit Panjang are drawn in Group Y alongside Chung Cheng High (Yishun) and Anderson Secondary. Cedar will play Chung Cheng on Thursday, March 25 at 1pm. Bukit Panjang will then face Anderson at 1.50pm. Both matches will be played at CCAB.

The B and C Division girls matches will be played at both Presbyterian High and CCAB.

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!

Related posts:
Want to nominate YOUR best volleyball player? Click here!
Which schools will make the top four in the 2010 C Division Volleyball Championships?
Which schools will make the top four in the 2010 B Division Volleyball Championships?

Go to the SCHOOLS FIXTURES & RESULTS page for more information.