By Zachary Foo/Red Sports

Yeo Jing Yi (CGS #17) hits a spike past the block of Lim Xin Yuan (NYGH #10). (Photo 1 © Zachary Foo)

Presbyterian High School, Friday, August 21, 2014 — Cedar Girls’ Secondary (CGS) are through to their first final since 2010 with a 3–0 (25–21, 25–9, 25–13) win over Nanyang Girls’ High School (NYGH) in the National C Division Girls Volleyball Championship. They will face Bukit Panjang Government High, who beat Dunman Secondary 3–0 in the other semi-final.

With Nanyang Girls’ missing their key player and captain, Amanda Ng (NYGH #3), they faced an uphill battle from the start. Yet they showed the perseverance to push on through, with several players filling the void left by Amanda (NYGH #3).

Cedar Girls’ started off the game well, going on a 4–1 run. Chan Yao Yi (CGS #4) showed good anticipation to block on one of the NYGH spikes, winning a point for her team. However, NYGH came back to tie the game at 5–all as they capitalised on Astrid Lee’s (CGS #12) sudden struggle to return balls.

Yeo Jing Yi (CGS #17) was instrumental for her team in the latter stages of the set, as she was able to kill plays when required. Her good and steady play allowed Cedar Girls’ to take the first set 25–21.

The second set was a complete romp by Cedar Girls’. After tying the game up at 2-all, Cedar Girls’ went on a 13–0 run which put them far ahead in the set. Chan Yao Yi (CGS #4) and Astrid Lee (CGS #12) both contributed to their team’s big run.

Yao Yi’s booming serves were able to elicit weak returns from NYGH, while Astrid made amends for her sloppy play in the first serve with good blocks at the net. Cedar Girls’ as a team were blocking well at the net in the set and they eventually sealed it with a 25–9 score line.

Khai Shuen (NYGH #4) and Faith Ang (NYGH #1) were bright sparks for NYGH throughout the game despite their struggles. The third set saw them start off well, putting Cedar Girls’ against the ropes initially. But once Cedar Girls’ controlled service, NYGH’s threat to come back were completely neutralised.

The trio of Chan Yao Yi (CGS #4), Chloe Wang (CGS #10) and Yeo Jing Yi (CGS #17) were all on point with their service play in the final quarter. This allowed Cedar Girls’ to consistently win points on their serve and they eventually closed out the match with a 25–13 win.

Cedar captain, Saw Lin Min (#16), said, “It feels very good as it has been a long time since we entered the final. We meet Bukit Panjang again as our opponents. We went down to them 1–2 in Round 2, but we hope to enjoy the game and do our best to win.”

Scoring by Set
Cedar Girls’ Secondary vs Nanyang Girls’ High School
First set: 25–21 (1–0)
Second set: 25–9 (2–0)
Third set: 25–13 (3–0)

Cedar Girls’ Secondary Roster
Ong Yanning (#2), Chan Yao Yi (#4), Nikki (#5), Daphne Low (#6), Divya (#7), Lee Jia Ying (#8), Lee Lyi Shuenn (#9), Chloe Wang (#10), Astrid Lee (#12), Boh Zexuan (#13), Tsu Jia Yi (#15), Saw Lin Min (#16), Yeo Jing Yi (#17)

Nanyang Girls’ Roster
Faith Ang (#1), Sevina Goh (#2), Amanda Ng (#3), Khai Shuen (#4), Ang Hui Wei (#5), Alicia Seah (#6), Joy Tan (#7), Victoria Tan (#8), Ilysa Or (#9), Lim Xin Yuan (#10), Shao Yue (#11), Wang Yi Xuan (#12), Monique Sin (#14), Helen Lok (#15)

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