By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports
Faith (Dunman #7) spikes past Gwyneth’s (Nanyang #1) block. Gwyneth served a few aces in the first set, and took quite a few points for the team as well with her spikes down the centre. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Presbyterian High School, Tuesday, March 30, 2010 - Nanyang Girls' High defeated Dunman Secondary 2-1 (25-18, 20-25, 25-16) to top Group X in the quarter-finals of the National C Division Girls Volleyball Championship.
Both teams had come into the match having already qualified for the semi-finals, and were both eager to win to ensure they have a lower chance of meeting defending champions Cedar Girls from Group Y.
A bad receive by Nanyang saw Dunman take the first point. However, Celine Ng (Dunman #9) spiked a loose ball out of bounds for the score to go 1-1. The score remained close at the start, and both teams were still tied at the 5-5 mark. Dunman took a two point lead after a spike to an empty spot followed by Gwyneth Teo (Nanyang #8) being unable to return the ball.
Dunman started taking several points with their drop shots. Nanyang seemed to have problems receiving these drops and light spikes from Dunman. Dunman soon pulled to an 11-7 lead. Nanyang's setter Jenies Foo (#2) was encountering difficulty setting to her desired spot and was substituted down for reserve setter Joelle Ng (Nanyang #4).
Nanyang immediately began to take points, with Gwyneth (Nanyang #8) spiking to an empty spot. They equalized with Dunman at the 14-14 mark after the latter could not organize a return. Dunman saw the tables turned against them when their #15 hooked the ball into the let, allowing Nanyang to take the lead. At the 16-14 mark, Dunman called for a time out.
Gwyneth (Nanyang #8) fired off several good serves to build on Nanyang's lead. She served an ace to bring the team to 23-17. However, Faith Chan (Dunman #7) executed a drop shot to deny Nanyang set point.
Unfortunately, Lau Ee Shan (Dunman #11) served into the net for Nanyang to reach set point. Nanyang took home the point after Dunman's return went out of bounds.
Koh Yiying (Nanyang #6) was slow on the block in the opening rally, allowing Celine (Dunman #9) to take a point with her spike. Nanyang then deflected a spike out of bounds to see Dunman take another point. Dunman had a better start and took an early lead. Joelle (Nanyang #4) was substituted in early in the match for Nanyang to start a catch up. The scores remained close, with both teams level at several points.
However, Dunman soon pulled away after the 13-12 mark after several good serves. Nanyang hand to call for a time-out at the 20-15 mark. Dunman soon took set point after Jenies (Nanyang #2) received a serve out. However, Faith (Dunman #7) could not spike over at the next rally to hold off their win. Dunman was also unable to return a spike from Nanyang to see the latter close the gap. However, Dunman quickly too the set after Lee Aow See (Nanyang #3) punched the ball into the net.
The third set was a tight start as well. Dunman took a slender lead, only for Nanyang to catch up. At the changeover, Nanyang held a one point lead over Dunman. However, this was also erased after a spike from Celine (Dunman #9).
The scores remained tied until the 15-15 mark, where Joelle (Nanyang #4) was again substituted in for Jenies (Nanyang #2). Nanyang then surged to a three point lead over Dunman, forcing a time out from the latter. Nanyang kept up the pressure, and soon extended their lead to 23-15 after seeing Faith (Dunman #7) return Yiying's (Nanyang #6) serve into the net.
Nanyang were then at match point after Gwyneth (Nanyang #8) successfully blocked a stray ball by Dunman. Dunman however temporarily held off Nanyang's win when they took a point from a spike to the backline. It was all to no avail as Celine (Dunman #9) served the ball out for Nanyang to take the game.
Dunman will play Group Y champions Cedar Girls in the semi-finals on Thursday, April 1, 9am at Presbyterian High.
Nanyang Girls will then play Group Y runner up Chung Cheng High (Yishun) at 10.30am after that.
Final Score
Nanyang 2 Dunman 1
(25-18, 20-25, 25-16)
Joelle Ng (Nanyang #4) setting for a team mate. She had to replace Jenies (Nanyang #2), who struggled to find her form today. (Photo 2 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Faith (Dunman #7) spiking past Gwyneth (Nanyang #1). Faith was constant trouble for Nanyang as she took several points with her clever play. She used her team’s lead in the second set to her advantage, adding more points on the score board with her spikes. (Photo 3 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Eirena (Nanyang #11) going down to rescue a stray shot. (Photo 4 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Gwyneth (Nanyang #1) watches on as Ee Shan (Dunman #11) hooks a ball back. Dunman’s free balls were equally as deadly as Nanyang learnt in the first set, where Dunman stormed to a lead using such play. (Photo 5 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Jia Min (Nanyang #1) spikes off Celine’s (Dunman #9) block. (Photo 6 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
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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