B Division Girls’ Volleyball: Jurong through to final after beating Dunman 3-0

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Presbyterian High, Friday, April 1, 2011 — Jurong Secondary beat Dunman Secondary 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-17) at the National B Division Girls Championship semi-final today. They will now face Fairfield Methodist in the final next Wednesday at Toa Payoh Sports Hall.

Dunman started the first set with the lead as Jurong took time to settle in. However, it was not long before Jurong found their footing, and were one point away from Dunman at 13-12. They leveled the score 13-13 after Zuxian’s (Dunman #5) spike went out of bounds after being the latter was caught out of position for Claira’s (Dunman #11) set. The match continued neck and neck until the 18-18 mark where Jurong managed to break away. Despite Dunman managing to come close, they were unable to overturn their deficit, and saw Jurong take home the first set.

Dunman stormed off to a six-point lead in the second set as Jurong found time to organize themselves once again. A time out at the 10-4 mark marked the start of Jurong’s come back as they quickly leveled the score 10-10 after a spike from Tan Libing (Jurong #9). The scores progressed point by point as both teams went all out to keep each other at bay. This time round, Jurong managed to break free from Dunman in the second half once again, as they pulled ahead from their initial 17-17 tie to lead 22-19, prompting a time out from Dunman.

Dunman were increasingly troubled by their attacks as they found it hard to break the Jurong defense. An off-form Zuxian (Dunman #5) had early been substituted down, but Dunman continued to struggle. Jurong’s defense was also a solid one, with libero Qiufeng (#3) “flying” all around the court as she lunged forward to rescue powerful shots from Dunman. Soon, Jurong found themselves at set point after a spike by Celine (Dunman #9) went out of bounds. Jurong however, could not take the last point after a spike by Rachel Lau (Jurong #12) went out of bounds. A service ace by Thor Jia Min (Dunman #4) further delayed Jurong’s win. However, Rachel (Jurong #12) promptly sealed the set for her team after her ball was unreturned by Dunman.

In the third set, Dunman came back trying to hold Jurong off. However, they could not do much to stop Jurong from keep the match close. After two service aces by Lim Zi Qing (Jurong #8), Jurong were able to tie the match 13-13. A spike by Li Bing (Jurong #9) from the outside saw Jurong turn the tables on Dunman, prompting a time out by the latter. Zi Qing (Jurong #8) subsequently fired off yet another service ace to extend Jurong’s lead. Towards the time half, it seemed like Dunman had lost steam as they watched Jurong run off with the lead.

Dunman found themselves held at the 16 and 17-point mark as Jurong soon took match point after Zi Qing (Jurong #8) successfully blocked a spike by Zuxian (Dunman #5). Zi Qing then sealed the match for the team after a spike from the centre.

Final score
Jurong 3 Dunman 0
25-21, 25-21, 25-17

Jurong will now face Fairfield Methodist in the championship final on Wednesday, April 6, 2pm at Toa Payoh Sports Hall. Fairfield had beaten Ngee Ann Secondary 3-0 in the other semi-final.

For more photos, go to the next page.