Xinmin overcome Cedar 2-0 to book place in B Division volleyball semi-final

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

CCAB, Thursday, March 25, 2010 - Xinmin Secondary overcame a resilient Cedar Girls' Secondary 2-0 (25-19, 25-21) in a Group X quarter-final match in the National B Division Volleyball Championship. With this win, Xinmin, who have two wins out of two matches, have booked a spot in the semi-finals,

The first set started off close, with Joan (Cedar #10) and Jaime (Xinmin #18) trading blows for the team. Cedar managed to take an early 5-1 lead, but saw it erased after Xinying (Cedar #4) sent a free ball into the net. However, Xinying (Cedar #4) took back the lead for Cedar with her spike down the line.

The score was close and the teams were tied at several points in the game. At the 17-17 mark, Joan (Cedar #10) unfortunately spiked out for Xinmin to take the lead. Another spike that went out of bounds saw Cedar call for a time out.

However, Xinmin worked on the slender lead they had, and surged ahead. They were soon at set point when Cedar spiked a ball out of bounds. Xinmin took the set 25-19 after Ashley (Cedar #6) could not spike across.

The second set was another close encounter as well. Cedar were determined to take back the set and not let slip the final few points. Again, Cedar managed to pull away for an early lead at 9-7, only for Xinmin to catch up once again. However, Cedar continued to maintain the upper hand, and went ahead to lead 15-11, forcing Xinmin to call for a time out.

This marked the start of Xinmin's comeback. Felicia (Xinmin #12) spearheaded several attacks, spiking many well-placed shots to take crucial points for the team. They came to within one point of Cedar at 19-18, forcing Cedar to call for a timeout.

However, it couldn't stop Xinmin's advance as they leveled 19-19 after a block from Rachael (Xinmin #1). Cedar spiked off Rachael’s block to go back up, only for Felicia (Xinmin #12) to level again with a spike from the outside.

Xinmin were on a high, and were eager to take the set. They stepped up their game, and scored three consecutive points, forcing another timeout from Cedar. Cedar managed to respond with one point, but Lenis (Cedar #13) served out to gift Xinmin match point. Rachael (Xinmin #1) then sealed the game for Xinmin with a well-placed serve.

Cedar will play St. Hilda's Secondary on Thursday, March 29 at 11.30am, while Xinmin plays Presbyterian High at 2.20pm.

It will be a do-or-die match for Cedar and Presbyterian as both have one win and one loss. Who ever wins their match will join Xinmin in the semi-finals. Both matches will be held at Presbyterian High.

Final Score
Xinmin 2 Cedar 0
(25-16, 25-20)