Fairfield Methodist edge out defending champions Cedar Girls’ to win South Zone B Division volleyball championship

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Delta Sports Complex, Wednesday, February 16, 2011 — Fairfield Methodist came back from one set down to clinch the South Zone B Division Girls’ Volleyball Championship title. Backed by a huge crowd of supporters, Fairfield beat defending champions Cedar Girls 2-1 (14-25, 25-18, 25-17).

Cedar started the set on a good note as they managed to command an early 9-5 lead. However, the Fairfield supporters were their team’s seventh player on court, as their arrival shortly after the start of the match saw Fairfield close in on Cedar. A time out by Cedar at the 16-11 mark allowed the team to regain their composure as they charged forth in a bid to extend their lead. With setter Maureen Han (Cedar #7) on serve, they pressured Fairfield to make mistakes, and soon saw themselves at the 23-14 mark. Fairfield on the other hand were still settling in, allowing Cedar’s Heng Yan Jing (#9) to secure the next two points, and the set.

However, the second set was a totally different affair. The boisterous Fairfield crowd added to Fairfield’s might as their cheers and screams echoing throughout the sports hall were certainly an intimidating affair. Fairfield certainly used this to their advantage as they ran off to lead 5-0. Good blocking from Jocelyn (Fairfield #10) certainly added to Cedar’s woes as they could not seem to get past the Fairfield defense. Fairfield soon blitzed to a 12-2 lead to leave Cedar in their wake.

A change in Cedar’s roster helped turn things around as the team slowly but steadily started catching up with Fairfield. They narrowed the score gap to five points, only for Fairfield to break ahead once more. Cedar were not contented at being left behind, and fought hard to come to within three points of Fairfield, prompting the latter to call for a time out at 19-16. Alas, Cedar’s comeback attempt fizzled out as they saw Fairfield pull ahead and take set point after Jocelyn (Fairfield #10) stuffed out Yan Jing’s (Cedar #9) spike. Fairfield then secured the second set after a spike from Cedar went into the net.

Cedar’s spiking woes continued in the rubber set. Despite several substitutions, Cedar could not find ways to make a significant impact on the scoreboard, as they watched Fairfield pull ahead. It was evident that team morale was low, but it was still a never-say-die attitude for the girls as they dived and chased after every ball. But it was not enough to stop Fairfield as the latter led 13-4 at the changeover. Two powerful serves consecutively by Jermaine (Fairfield #16) further increased Fairfield’s lead.

It seemed like a herculean task for Cedar to catch up, but they never gave up, constantly trying to hold Fairfield at bay. Between Cedar’s second time out at 21-10 to the point where Fairfield achieved set point, Cedar chalked up seven points to further close in on Fairfield. It was an exciting rally for the final point which began when Fairfield sent a strong spike into the Cedar court. At first, it seemed like Cedar would be unable to rescue the deflected shot, but it was a miraculous return which saw Cedar keep the ball in play. Unfortunately, Cedar would not be second time lucky as they deflected a Fairfield spike out of bounds to allow their opponents to secure the final point.

Final score
Fairfield 2 Cedar 1
(14-25, 25-18, 25-17)

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