B Div Vball (Girls): Presbyterian High overcome Dunman to book spot in semi-finals

Presbyterian High, Tuesday, March 27, 2012 — Presbyterian High came from behind to beat Dunman Secondary 2-0 (25-20, 25-23) in both team’s final Round Two, Group Y match at the National B Division Girls’ Volleyball Championship. Presbyterian High finish on top of the table and are through to the semi-finals while Dunman have been eliminated from the competition.

Dunman was initially on top of the table with five points after two wins from two matches played. However, they dropped to second place after Ngee Ann Secondary took all three points at stake when they beat Nanyang Girls’ in an earlier match. Dunman had needed to win one set or more against Presbyterian High and were on track to do so as they led for the most part of the match. However, Presbyterian High pulled off a surprise at the end and overcame the East Zone champions to secure a spot in the semi-finals for the first time since 2008.

Presbyterian High scored a total of 38 points from 27 kills, seven blocks and four service aces while Dunman had 29 points from 26 kills and three blocks. Presbyterian High had a higher number of defensive errors but they made up the difference in blocks and service aces.

Dunman’s Faith (#7) emerged as the top scorer with 13 points scored from 13 kills. Presbyterian High’s Le Jie (#18) and Amanda (#11) were tied in second spot, each having scored 11 points. Le Jie (Presbyterian High #18) had nine kills and two service aces while Amanda (#11) had five kills, five blocks and one service ace.

The match had initially seemed like it was Dunman’s for the taking as they raced ahead to a decisive lead right from the start. Vinnie (Dunman #1) was a decisive force in the front as she took point after point for Dunman. A timeout by Presbyterian High at the 7-2 mark could not stop Dunman’s advances and it was only at the 10-2 mark did Presbyterian High score their first point via spike from Le Jie (Presbyterian High #18).

Presbyterian High then came charging back as Le Jie (Presbyterian High #18) started scoring several points in quick succession, prompting a timeout from Dunman at the 10-7 mark.

Dunman held on to their lead and managed to widened the score gap, only to see Presbyterian High come right back in.

Presbyterian High were soon just one point away from Dunman after a service ace from Amanda (Presbyterian High #11). Jemima (Presbyterian High #16) then tied the score 17-17 after a spike from the opposite corner.

The teams were tied point for point until Presbyterian High managed to pull ahead to lead 21-19, prompting a timeout from Dunman. However, it could not stop Presbyterian High’s momentum as the latter pulled ahead to reach set point after Jemima (Presbyterian High #16) stuffed out a loose ball by Dunman.

Michelle (Presbyterian High #14) then sealed the set with a spike from the outside.

Dunman took the early lead once again as they pulled ahead to lead 6-1. Presbyterian High pulled right back in and kept the score close for the remaining half of the set.

Dunman managed to break free from the stalemate and kept the lead but again saw Presbyterian High level the score once again at the 17-17 mark. As the teams headed closer to set point, Presbyterian High pulled a fast one over Dunman and established a slender two-point lead at 21-19.

Dunman kept up the chase and managed to close in 23-22 but Amanda (Presbyterian High #11) took match point after sending a powerful spike which Dunman could not return. Faith (Dunman #7) managed to hold off Presbyterian High with a drop shot that took the score to 24-23.

It was a tense moment in the next rally, but Amanda (Presbyterian High #11) finished off the match when she spiked into an empty spot to take the final point for Presbyterian High.

Final score
Presbyterian High 2 Dunman 0
25-20, 25-23

Presbyterian High will now take on Group X runner-up Cedar Girls’ in the semi-finals on Friday, March 30. Group Y runner-up Ngee Ann Secondary will play Anderson Secondary in the other semi-final.

Final Group X Standings
Presbyterian High (2W, 1L) – 7 points
Ngee Ann (2W, 1L) – 6 points
Dunman (2W, 1L) – 5 points
Nanyang (0W, 3L) – 0 points

Presbyterian High vs Dunman - Match Statistics

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