B Div Vball (Girls): Presbyterian High see off Cedar in semi-final

Presbyterian High, Friday, March 30, 2012 — Presbyterian High held off a late challenge by Cedar Girls’ to win 3-1 (25-18, 17-25, 25-13, 27-25) in the semi-finals of the National B Division Girls’ Volleyball Championship.

Presbyterian High had a commendable performance as they scored 68 points from 21 kills, six blocks and six service aces. Cedar, who were making their first semi-final appearance since 2005, scored 47 points from 35 kills, four blocks and eight service aces.

Amanda (Presbyterian High #11) dominated the scoring tally as she emerged as the top scorer of the match. She scored 33 points scored via 21 kills, six blocks and six service aces, nearly twice as many points as the next person in line. Claudia (Cedar #18) was Cedar’s top scorer with 18 points scored from 15 kills and three blocks.

Cedar gave Presbyterian High a hard fight right at the start as they kept the score close. Presbyterian High managed to pull ahead to lead 8-5, prompting an early timeout from Cedar to reorganise.

Presbyterian High continued to pull ahead as Cedar kept up the chase. Le Jie (Presbyterian High #18) and Amanda (#11) ensured that Cedar could not stage an upset as they scored six and seven kills respectively during the set. Cedar were soon trailing 18-24 after Jasmine (Cedar #11) spiked into the net.

Jemima (Presbyterian High #16) then took the last point with a well placed drop shot.

Presbyterian High continued their winning form in the second set as three consecutive service aces by Amanda (Presbyterian High #11) saw the team lead 4-0. Presbyterian High continued to lead till the 8-2 mark before Cedar called a Cedar.

Presbyterian High suddenly experienced a drop in form as they saw Cedar come charging back in. Cedar leveled the score 10-10 and pulled ahead to lead 12-10 after two service aces by Jasmine (Cedar #11). Presbyterian High continued to struggle for the remaining half of the set, as Amanda (Presbyterian High #11) only managed to score one kill while Le Jie (#18) managed three kills.

Cedar were soon leading 23-17 after a spike by Claudia (Cedar #18). They then took set point after a spike by Michelle (Presbyterian High #14) went out of bounds. Claire (Cedar #2) then took the set after a service ace.

Both teams kept the score close in the third set before Presbyterian High pulled ahead to lead 13-9.

Presbyterian High seemed to have regained their form as they powered their way to a 23-10 lead. Amanda (Presbyterian High #11) continuously pressured Cedar with her serves and scored three service aces in quick succession. However, she finally sent a serve out of bounds at the 24-10 mark to allow Cedar some respite. Cedar were however unable to overcome the deficit and went on to lose the set 13-25.

Presbyterian High continued their winning streak as they raced off to lead 10-1 in the fourth set. Cedar were forced to use both their timeouts early, once at the 4-0 mark and the other at the 10-1 mark but it seemed to turn things around for Cedar as the team narrowed the score gap to 11-6, leading to a timeout by Presbyterian High.

Cedar continued to close in but Presbyterian High fought hard to hold off their advances. Michelle (Presbyterian High #14) managed to step up her game and scored five kills to stave off Cedar’s advances for the first half of the set. Cedar refused to go down without a fight and their efforts finally paid off when they leveled the score 22-22.

Cedar continued to hold Presbyterian High at bay and subsequently forced the set into a deuce.

Jemima (Presbyterian High #16) managed to take the advantage for her team after a drop shot, but a miscommunication in the team allowed Cedar to draw level again. Presbyterian High seemed shaken while Cedar were on a high after coming back from the brink of defeat.

But it was Presbyterian High who took the lead once again as Amanda (Presbyterian High #11) powered a spike which was deflected out of bounds by Cedar. Amanda (Presbyterian High #11) prevented Cedar from staging an upset as she sent another spike form the opposite to take the last point.

Final score
Presbyterian High 3 Cedar 1
25-18, 17-25, 25-13, 27-25

Presbyterian High last won the championship in 2008 and have never made it into the semi-finals ever since. This year, they will battle it out with Anderson Secondary, who have made it to the final for the first time, to attempt to retake the title. The final will be played on Tuesday, April 3 at Toa Payoh Sports Hall.

Cedar Girls will play Ngee Ann Secondary on Monday, April 2 in the 3rd/4th placing match.

Presbyterian High vs Cedar - Match Statistics

For more photos, go to the next page.