Shuqun emerge double champions after beating Clementi Town in West Zone B Division boys volleyball final

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall, Thursday, February 17, 2011 – Shuqun Secondary emerged as double champions after their boys’ team swept aside Clementi Town Secondary 2-0 (25-8, 25-21) at the West Zone B Division volleyball championship final. Earlier on, the girls’ team had beaten Jurong Secondary in the girls’ final.

Clementi Town, who had beaten Bukit Panjang in the semi-final, were aiming to continue their winning streak, as they aimed to produce an upset against the defending champions Shuqun. Clementi Town started the match by taking the first point with a spike through the Shuqun block. Shuqun took time to settle in, and it was anybody’s game at that point of time. However, things did not remain status quo for long as Shuqun quickly flexed their muscles to show who was boss.

Through Shuqun’s constant pounding, the defending champions blitzed ahead leaving Clementi Town in their wake. Clementi Town as Shuqun raced ahead to lead 20-8. Two time outs by Clementi Town at the 10-5 and 19-8 mark provided no respite as Clementi Town could not turn the game around for themselves. Clementi Town had no answer to Shuqun’s attacks as their defence crumbled away in the face of opposition. Very soon, Shuqun had the set in their bag as they won 25-8.

Clementi Town’s woes continued in the second set as they struggled to break Shuqun’s defences. Their own defence seemed stunned at times as too often, they were left to watch the ball hit the ground after blocks. It seemed like it was going to be a repeat of the first set as Shuqun stormed to a 16-7 lead. Shuqun’s libero Zhofir deserved special mention as he seemed to be all over the place in the Shuqun defensive backline. He put up several saves which prevented Clementi Town from taking any point.

However, it was a sudden awakening of Clementi Town as they attempted to give Shuqun a run for their money. From their initial deficit, Clementi Town held Shuqun at the 16-point mark to rake in nine consecutive points to level the score at 16-16. This incredible comeback prompted Shuqun to call for a time out to reorganise.

Shuqun were not going to let Clementi Town turn the tables on them, as Edward Lai (Shuqun #6) promptly retook the lead for the team with a quick ball. Clementi Town started delivering many good saves, and was a completely different team from the first set. It was a close fight, but Shuqun constantly held on to their advantage leaving Clementi Town to play catch up. Through some tactical play, Shuqun used a shadow spike to force a touch out from Clementi Town, bringing them to 23-20. Muhammad Haziq (Shuqun #10) then took the team to match point after his spike from the opposite corner went into the far corner of Clementi Town’s court. Clementi Town’s attempt to keep the game alive was subsequently dashed as Shuqun stuffed out their spike to clinch the final point.

Final score
Shuqun 2 Clementi Town 0
(25-8, 25-21)

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