B Div Vball (Girls): Anderson overcome Jurong in Group X match

Presbyterian High, Thursday, March 22, 2012 — Anderson Secondary came from behind to beat defending champions Jurong Secondary 2-1 (20-25, 25-22, 25-22) in a Round Two, Group X match of the National B Division Girls’ Volleyball Championship.

It was a match where Jurong wasted several opportunities to finish with a victory. They had been trailing in the first set before overcoming Anderson and were on track to win the second when they unfortunately let slip the lead in the last few points.

The third set saw Jurong squander a nine-point lead for Anderson to put themselves right back into the game. After a close fight, Anderson pulled ahead in the final few moments to steal victory from Jurong.

In terms of numbers, Jurong should have been the victors as they fared better in their kill tally. Jurong posted 37 kills as opposed to Anderson’s 29 kills, with Qiuluan (Jurong #13), Aijia (#4) and Vanessa (#5) scoring double-digit points. Jolly (Anderson #4) emerged as the top scorer, pipping Qiuluan (Jurong #13) by two points as the former scored 22 points from 16 kills and six blocks while the latter had 17 kills and three blocks.

Jurong scored a total of 50 points from 37 kills, seven blocks and six service aces while Anderson had 45 points from 29 kills, 10 blocks and six service aces. Jurong were slightly disadvantaged by their own errors as they had 23 hit errors as opposed to Anderson’s 19 errors, and 20 defensive errors compared to Anderson’s 14 errors. At the end of the day, this made the difference in who emerged as the winners.

In the first set, Anderson were the ones in the lead as Jurong took time to settle in. Jurong had difficulty scoring in the first set as their ten hit errors allowed Anderson to stay ahead. However, they were able to level the score 18-18 and eventually steal the lead after errors from Anderson.

Jurong managed to hold off Anderson and were leading 23-20 after a service ace from Kelly (Jurong #10). They then took set point after good play from Aijia (Jurong #4). Anderson did not get a chance to make a comeback as Vanessa (Jurong #5) sealed the set with a spike from the outside.

Jurong started the second set on a high as Aijia (Jurong #4) drew first blood with a service ace. Jurong slowly but steadily pulled ahead and were leading 10-6 when a slew of defensive errors allowed Anderson to close in.

Anderson kept the score close as Jurong tried hard to fend off Anderson. Qiuluan (Jurong #13) and Jolly (Anderson #4) took turns to score for their team, with the score neck and neck. Qiuluan (Jurong #13) scored seven kills in the set while Jolly (#4) had six, and the teams saw themselves tied several occasions before Anderson took the lead 22-21.

Jurong subsequently called a timeout after Anderson took the next point but could not stop Anderson from taking the next after Jolly (Anderson #4) forced a block-out from Qiuluan (Jurong #13). Anderson had a service error in the next rally but quickly took back the next point as Jolly (Anderson #4) successfully blocked a spike from Qiuluan (Jurong #13).

Jurong did not let the loss affect them as they blitzed ahead in the third set. A timeout by Anderson at the 10-4 mark could not turn things around as Jurong continued to lead 13-4 at the changeover.

However, Jurong suddenly saw a drop in form and were plagued by three consecutive defensive errors to prompt a timeout from Jurong at the 13-8 mark.

Jurong continued ahead with the lead but saw it gradually diminish as Anderson finally leveled the score 15-15. A timeout by Jurong at this point could not stop Anderson’s advances as the latter turned the tables on Jurong and pulled ahead. Jolly (Anderson #4) led the team’s charge as she scored seven kills in the set to score many valuable points for the team.

Jurong were stuck in a weak rotation and had to watch on as Anderson pulled ahead.

Jurong kept up their fight an despite trailing 17-21, they managed to close in to trail 22-23. Lee Ting (Anderson #1) managed to break Jurong’s comeback attempt as she took set point for the team. She then took the last point after spiking off the Jurong block to seal victory for Anderson.

Anderson are now top of Group X with five points while Jurong are tied with Cedar with three points each. Xinmin are at the bottom with one point, but all four teams still stand a chance at qualifying for the semi-finals.

Jurong can qualify if they win their next match against Xinmin. Anderson might lose their semi-final spot should they lose 2-0 to Cedar. Xinmin will also be able to pull a surprise should they beat Jurong 2-0, and Cedar lose 2-0 to Anderson.

Final Score
Anderson 2 Jurong 1
20-25, 25-22, 25-22

Group standings
Anderson (2W, 0L) – 5 points
Jurong (1W, 1L) – 3 points
Cedar (1W, 1L) – 3 points
Xinmin (0W, 2L) – 1 point

Anderson vs Jurong - Match Statistics

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