Dunman see off St Hilda’s in B Division girls volleyball semi-finals

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Presbyterian High School, Thursday, April 1, 2010 - It was sweet victory for Dunman Secondary as they defeated St Hilda's 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-16) in the National B Division Girls Volleyball Championship semi-finals. Dunman had lost to St Hilda's in two previous encounters during the East Zone Championship, with St Hilda's denying Dunman the East Zone title when they won 2-0 at the final.

St Hilda's started the first set well and drew an early lead. Dunman had to play catchup for most of the set, but they drew level, and turned the tables on St Hilda's. Dunman kept their momentum going, and took the lead in the second set as well. Despite St Hilda's trying to catch up, Dunman managed to pull through and seal the set. Dunman had an easier third set as they blitzed through the set after an initial stalemate. They manage to hold off St Hilda's advances, and saw themselves through to the final of the championship.

1st set
Dunman took the first point after St Hilda's deflected a spike by Jia En (Dunman #2) out of bounds. However, Huijie (Dunman #7) subsequently received the ball into the net for St Hilda's to draw 1-1. Joleen (St Hilda's #18) then blocked a drop shot by Dunman for the team to take the lead. A service ace by Stella (St Hilda's #7) followed by a spike out of bounds by Jia En (Dunman #2) saw St Hilda's command a 6-1 lead.

Dunman seemed to have difficulty warming up, and saw St Hilda's continue extending their lead. However, they kept the pressure on and eventually drew level at 8-8. St Hilda's regained the lead after seeing Dunman deflect a ball out. Dunman kept on the chase, and stole the lead at 17-16. However, Samantha (St Hilda's #1) sent a loose ball right into Dunman's court to level the scores once again.

It was a close rally, and St Hilda's led 20-18 before Dunman called for a time out. It proved effective as Dunman equalized, and power forth to seal the set 25-21.

2nd set
Dunman were all fired up, and charged to a 6-3 lead in the second set. St Hilda's were struggling with their receives, and Dunman took this to their full advantage, blitzing to a 15-5 lead. St Hilda's were not going to go down easily and tried their best to catch up. They made an incredible chase, and narrowed the score gap to 17-13, leading to Dunman calling for a time out.

Dunman gathered themselves and surged for the lead 23-16. However, St Hilda's were not going down without a fight, and held Dunman for three points. After a long and right rally, Dunman finally took set point after Weiyu (Dunman #3) sent the ball with her weaker hand to the corner. Dunman then sealed the set after Stella (St Hilda's #7) could not spike across.

3rd set
Dunman were going all out to take the third set. They pulled to a 9-4 lead, leaving St Hilda's to play catch up. At the 20-12 mark, St Hilda's called for a time out, but it was to no avail as Dunman quickly saw themselves at match point after s spike by Jia En (Dunman #2).

However, St Hilda's were not going down without a fight. Amanda (St Hilda's #16) spiked to an empty corner to hold off Dunman's celebrations. A subsequent drop shot by Amanda (St Hilda's #16) saw St Hilda's take another point.

Weiyu (Dunman #3) deflected a loose ball out of bounds to see the score at 24-16. However, St Hilda's catch up was put to a stop after Dunman spiked into an empty spot.

Dunman Secondary will meet defending champions Nanyang Girls in the final on Friday, 9 April, 1.30pm at Woodlands Sports Hall.

St Hilda's will play Xinmin Secondary in the 3/4th placing match on Wednesday, 7 April, 3pm at CCAB.

Final Score
Dunman 3 St Hilda's 0
(25-21, 25-18, 25-16)