B Div Vball (Girls): Anderson beat Cedar but both teams through to semi-finals

Presbyterian High, Tuesday, March 27, 2012 — Anderson continued their winning streak as they beat Cedar Girls 2-1 (25-16, 19-25, 25-21) to book a spot in the semi-finals of the National B Division Girls’ Volleyball Championship.

Anderson finish on top of the table with seven points after three wins in a row. Cedar Girls’ had put themselves in good stead at qualifying after winning a set and were assured a spot in the next round after Xinmin Secondary beat defending champions Jurong Secondary 2-0 in a subsequent match. Despite Cedar and Xinmin being tied with four points each, Cedar had a better coefficient which meant that Cedar was able to make their first semi-final appearance since 2005.

It was also an equally historical moment for Anderson as it was the first time in recent years that the B Division team had progressed into the semi-finals.

Both Anderson and Cedar had the same number of points scored, with Anderson scoring 43 points from 32 kills, five blocks and six service aces. Cedar had 43 points from 31 kills, eight blocks and four service aces. However, it was Cedar’s hit errors which gave Anderson the advantage with Cedar committing 23 errors compared to Anderson’s 14.

Jolly (Anderson #4) dominated the scoring tally with 22 points from 19 kills and three blocks. Second in line was Claire (Cedar #2) with 13 points from 10 kills and three blocks.

Cedar got off to an especially shaky start and their usual top scorer Claudia (#18) was visibly off form as she committed seven hit errors alone in the first set. The Anderson scoring machine was all ready to go as they put up a total of 11 kills and three service aces while Cedar only managed four kills.

Anderson took advantage of this and managed to establish a 23-11 lead over Cedar. Timeouts by Cedar at the 7-3 and 20-11 mark were unable to break Cedar’s momentum. However, Anderson found themselves held at bay as Cedar scored several points in quick succession.

Anderson finally managed to take set point after a spiking error by Claudia (Cedar #18). They were however, held at set point again after Denise (Anderson #7) was blocked. Anderson did not have to wait further though as Cedar sent their serve out of bounds for Anderson to take the set.

Anderson continued their winning form in the second set as Jolly took the team to a 7-2 lead after scoring five consecutive points.

However, a timeout by Cedar marked the start of the team’s resurgence. Cedar fought back and leveled the score 8-8 before turning the tables on Anderson. Cedar seemed to have settled in and found their momentum, scoring 15 kills in the set. Anderson’s attacks were fronted largely by Jolly (Anderson #4) but their defense eventually buckled midway when Cedar pulled ahead to lead 20-15.

Despite Anderson’s attempts to keep up, they could not stop Cedar from pulling ahead to take the set 25-19.

In the third set, the teams were tied neck and neck from the start. Anderson managed to hold on to a slender one-point lead at the changeover before pulling ahead to lead 16-13.

Anderson held on to their advantage and pulled a fast one over Cedar to eventually lead 24-21 after a quick ball by Jolly (Anderson #4). Lee Ting (Anderson #1) then sealed the match for the team after a drop ball into an empty spot.

Final score
Anderson 2 Cedar 1
25-16, 19-25, 25-21

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

Final Group X Standings

Anderson vs Cedar - Match Statistics

For more photos, go to the next page.