B Division Girls’ Volleyball: Heartbreak for Shuqun as they lose semi-final spot to Jurong

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Presbyterian High, Monday, March 28, 2011 — The National B Division Girls’ Championship saw its biggest casualty thus far as it saw Shuqun Secondary fail to qualify for the semi-finals as they fell to Jurong Secondary 2-1 (25-23, 18-25, 25-15) in a Group X, Round 2 match. Jurong Secondary enacted revenge for their loss to Shuqun during the West Zone final by piping their opponents to a spot in the semi-finals. This last match was a nail-biting encounter as surprise results in the previous days of play meant that whoever won today would go through. Shuqun had had a shock loss to Cedar in their first match, and paid the price this time round as they settled for a premature end to their campaign.

Rachel Lau (Jurong #12) fronted her team’s push to the win as she scored 16 kills to be the leading scorer for the match. Jurong almost outnumbered Shuqun’s kills by 2:1 as they had a total of 42 kills compared to Shuqun’s 24 kills. However the numbers certainly are not a true reflection of the match as Shuqun were clearly a constant threat to Jurong right from the start. With six service aces, four by Kavis Koh (Shuqun #6) and nine blocks, seven by Cally (Shuqun #1), Jurong were made to work hard right from the start.

As per their usual self, Jurong took time to start their engines as they allowed Shuqun to run off with the lead. A time out at the 16-11 mark was still unable to allow Jurong to make an impact as they continued to trail 20-14. However, things were very different from them on. Jurong held Shuqun at bay to score six consecutive six points to tie the score 21-21. Lim Zi Qing (Jurong #8) then turned the tables on Shuqun as she took the lead via a spike. A strong serve by the Jurong #1 saw Shuqun unable to return, allowing Jurong to further extend their lead. Despite Shuqun coming right back in, Jurong took home the set after a spike by Shuqun went out of bounds.

In the second set, Shuqun went all out to prevent Jurong from stealing the set from them like the first. Jurong were hot on their heels, and eventually tied the set 10-10. As the match continued neck and neck, a series of service aces from Kavis Koh (Shuqun #6) allowed Shuqun to pull ahead. Shuqun took advantage of their situation and burst ahead to lead 21-15, prompting a time out by Jurong. In the set, Shuqun had took several points via deadly drop shots. Rosanna Chua (Shuqun #8), who had 10 kills for the match, scored many of these points as she constantly troubled Jurong with her drop shots. Soon, Shuqun sealed the set 25-18 to bring the match into a rubber.

Jurong were suddenly on fire in the third set. They pounded the Shuqun defense to take in point after point. Tan Li Bing (Jurong #9) scored five kills in the set to contribute much to the Jurong effort. At the changeover, Jurong were leading 13-7, with Shuqun’s woes not about to end any time soon. Jurong continued their blitz, and were well ahead 15-7 when Shuqun called for a time out. There was no stop to Jurong’s scoring streak as the latter blitzed ahead to take match point after a spike by Rachel (Jurong #12) from the outside. Jurong then sealed the match 25-15 after a serve by Li Bing (Jurong #9) was unreturned.

This was certainly an exciting match to watch. Shuqun, with their never-give-up spirit were constantly going all out to break their opponents. Despite trailing behind, never once did they lose hope and were constantly rallying themselves to continue the fight. It was certainly unfortunate that they had to suffer an exit at this stage as they were certainly a top-four team.

Qiuluan (Jurong #2) was one of the Jurong players who shone during the match. Despite the brunt of the Jurong attack coming from the other three spikers, Qiuluan (Jurong #2) stepped up to her game and put up a stellar performance. She scored four kills and two blocks for the match, with her consistency in her serve during the third set allowing Jurong to continue their scoring streak, ultimately winning the match.

There is no ‘I’ in the word ‘TEAM’. Instead it involves the contribution of every single member. Jurong did it for this match, and they have certainly earned their due reward.

Final score
Jurong 2 Shuqun 1
25-23, 18-25, 25-15

Jurong finish second of Group X, and will face Group Y leaders Dunman Secondary in the semi-finals on Friday, 12pm at Presbyterian High. Good luck!

Selected Stats (Kills, Misses, Blocks, Service Ace)
Cally (Shuqun #1): 3, 1, 7, 1
Clarrissa Hon (Shuqun #2): 8, 2, 2
Kavis Koh (Shuqun #6): 1, 3, -, 4
Rosanna Chua (Shuqun #8): 10, 4, -, –

Qiuluan (Jurong #2): 4, 1, 2, –
Lim Zi Qing (Jurong #8): 11, 5, 2, 1
Tan Li Bing (Jurong #9): 11, 5, -, –
Rachel Lau (Jurong #12): 16, 7, -, –

For more photos, go to the next page.