West Zone B Div Vball: Jurong through to semis after victory over Bukit Panjang

Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall, Monday, February 13, 2012 — The West Zone B Division Girls’ Volleyball Championship saw their biggest casualty to date after Bukit Panjang Government High were knocked out of the tournament following a 2-0 (29-27, 26-24) defeat by Jurong Secondary.

Jurong had come into the match at the bottom of the table and were staring at the possibility of elimination after a 2-1 loss to Shuqun Secondary in their previous match. Bukit Panjang, who had earlier beaten Shuqun Secondary, were lying in second place and a win would have see them at the top of the table. However, it was Jurong who took the three points, booking a place in the semi-finals at the expense of their opponents.

Judging from the scoreline, both teams were quite evenly matched and were not far apart in the number of kills scored. Jurong centre Ong Qiuluan (#13) led the scoring tally once again with 17 points scored from 15 kills and two blocks. Bukit Panjang’s top scorer Sim Xinyi (#10) was not far behind as well with 10 kills under her belt.

Jurong must have certainly learnt from their mistakes in the previous match as they drastically reduced their number of service faults and unforced errors. Bukit Panjang’s performance was certainly not a shoddy one, but their inability to score more meant that they were edged out by the slightest of margins.

Jurong were the ones who started off on a good footing as they raced ahead to lead 7-1 with an early time out by Bukit Panjang at the 4-0 mark failing to break their momentum. However, Jurong subsequently saw their lead narrowed as Bukit Panjang made a comeback to trail by just one point.

It was a close fight as both teams were neck and neck. Jurong subset Leyuan (#7) and libero Qiufeng (#3) made several saves in their respective zones to prevent Bukit Panjang from stealing the lead.

Jurong maintained their lead but Bukit Panjang were constantly on their heels. The latter soon eroded Jurong’s initial advantage and forced their opponents to call a time out at the 18-16 mark. However, there was no stopping Bukit Panjang’s comeback as they closed in further after Agnes (Bukit Panjang #15) stuffed out a block by Juliana (Jurong #11).

Bukit Panjang then levelled the score 19-19, before turning the tables on Jurong after a defensive error by the latter. Jurong promptly called for a time out following another point lost.

With the score subsequently tied at 21-21, it was a tense moment for everyone as both teams tried to outdo each other. The teams continued neck and neck until the 23-23 mark before Jurong setter Huiyuh (#2) committed an error for Bukit Panjang to take the lead at a crucial point.

After a tough rally, Jurong were allowed some breathing space after forcing the set into a deuce. However, Bukit Panjang were quickly given the advantage yet again after Aijia (Jurong #4) sent her serve out of bounds. This time round, Huiyuh (Jurong #2) made amends as she brought the game into a deuce once more with a well placed drop shot.

It continued to be a close fight with the teams tied till 27-27. Jurong were subsequently put in an advantageous position after Bukit Panjang’s Xinyi (#10) sent her spike out of bounds. With control of service, Jurong made use of their advantage and finished off the set with a service ace from Huiyuh (Jurong #2).

Fresh from a morale boosting win in the first set, Jurong kept up their momentum and raced off once again to lead 8-2, forcing Bukit Panjang to use both their timeouts, one at the 4-2 mark and another at the 8-2 mark.

Once again, Jurong were unable to hold on to their lead as they quickly saw Bukit Panjang fight their way back into the game. Bukit Panjang made an incredible comeback and turned the tables on Jurong to lead 11-9.

Jurong managed to keep pace with Bukit Panjang, and saw the scores tied at the 14-, 18-, 19- and 20-point mark.

However, Jurong subsequently fell behind to trail Bukit Panjang 22-24. With Bukit Panjang on a high and their Jurong centre spiker Qiuluan (#13) rotated out from the backline, It seemed like the teams would have to fight it out in a third set.

In a twist of fate, both teams suddenly found themselves level once again after Jurong staged a comeback with the last point being scored by a spike from Vanessa (Jurong #5). Jurong then put themselves in the driving seat as Juliana (Jurong #11) took set point after a service ace. Jurong then sealed the match after a spike from Bukit Panjang went out of bounds.

With this win, Jurong propel themselves to the top of the table, avoiding a clash with Group X leaders Nanyang Girls’ High. They will face Hua Yi Secondary in the semi-finals on Wednesday, while Nanyang Girls’ High will play Shuqun Secondary.

Final score
Jurong 2 Bukit Panjang 0
29-27, 26-24

Jurong vs Bukit Panjang - Match Statistics

	Points scored (Total)	Kills	Hit Errors	Blocks	Block Errors	Service Ace	Service Fault	Defensive Errors	Unforced Errors
Jurong Team Totals	34	25	10	3	5	6	2	8	6
Qiuluan (#13)	17	15	2	2	3	0	0	0	0
Juliana (#11)	5	2	1	0	0	3	1	3	0
Vanessa (#5)	4	3	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
Aijia (#4)	4	3	3	1	2	0	1	0	2
Huiyuh (#2)	3	2	3	0	0	1	0	2	2
Leyuan (#7)	1	0	1	0	0	1	0	1	0
Qiufeng (#3, Libero)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	0	0
-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Bukit Panjang Team Totals	29	23	7	6	4	0	5	14	5
Xinyi (#10)	10	10	3	0	0	0	1	1	0
Vivian (#7)	5	5	2	0	0	0	1	3	0
Agnes (#15)	5	0	0	5	2	0	1	0	1
Wanqing (#9)	4	3	1	1	2	0	0	1	0
Hongxia (#7)	3	3	1	0	0	0	1	1	1
Wenxin (#4)	2	2	0	0	0	0	1	3	0
Tiffany (#18, Libero)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	2	0
Jodie (#16, Libero)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	1	0

Group standings [Teams who win by a scoreline of 2-0 are awarded 3 points. Those who win 2-1 are awarded 2 points while their opponents are awarded 1 point]

School	Played	Win	Lose	Points
Jurong Secondary	2	1	1	4
Shuqun Secondary	2	1	1	3
Bukit Panjang Govt High	2	1	1	2

For more photos, go to the next page.