B Div Vball (Girls): Ngee Ann overcome Shuqun in thriller; Xinmin thrash Ang Mo Kio

Presbyterian High, Friday, February 24, 2012 — Ngee Ann Secondary came from behind to fend off Shuqun Secondary in a Round One, Group B match at the National B Division Girls’ Volleyball Championship. They endured a hard-fought match to win their first Nationals match 2-1 (25-27, 25-21, 26-24).

In the other Group B match, Xinmin Secondary had an easier time as they thrashed Ang Mo Kio Secondary 2-0 (25-6, 25-10).

Shuqun were in control for much of the first set as they held on to a decisive lead. Timeouts by Ngee Ann at the 6-0 and 16-7 mark could not break the former’s momentum.

However, Ngee Ann quickly began a massive comeback to force Shuqun to call a timeout at 22-17. Shuqun managed to take the next two points to lead 24-17 but simply could not finish off. Shuqun let slip their seven-point lead as Ngee Ann saved several set points to tie 24-24.

The teams continued to be tied 25-25 but Kavis (Shuqun #11) managed to take the lead for her team with a spike. Shuqun finally took the set after Ngee Ann deflected a Shuqun serve out of bounds.

Ngee Ann did not let the loss in the first set affect them as they blitzed ahead in the second set to lead 7-2. Shuqun were left to play catchup despite managing to narrow the gap.

Ngee Ann held on to their lead and soon found themselves leading 24-21 after Celine (Shuqun #16) served into the net. They then took the second set after the Ngee Ann #13 blocked Kavis’s (Shuqun #11) spike.

The deciding set was a closely contested one as the teams tried hard to keep pace with each other. Ngee Ann held on to an early lead only to see Shuqun close in at 10-10. At the changeover, Ngee Ann were only holding on to a slender one-point lead over Shuqun.

However, Shuqun managed to pull a fast one over Ngee Ann and pulled ahead to lead 16-13.

Ngee Ann kept pace, and despite a Shuqun timeout at 17-16, their momentum was not broken and they ultimately tied the score 19-19.

The teams continued to be neck and neck, with Ngee Ann taking match point after a serve by the Ngee Ann #13 was deflected out of bounds by Shuqun.

However, Ngee Ann were unable to convert the last point after Mei Hui (Ngee Ann #1) spiked out of bounds. After a spectacular rally, Ngee Ann took the advantage after a spike from the opposite corner by the Ngee Ann #7.

Ngee Ann then sealed the match after sending a powerful spike into Shuqun which the latter could not organise a return for.

Final score
Ngee Ann 2 Shuqun 1
25-27, 25-21, 26-24

National B Division Volleyball Championship — fixtures and results

For more photos, go to the next page.