Nanyang Girls’ secure semi-final spot after edging out Shuqun in B Division volleyball

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

CCAB, Thursday, March 25, 2010 - Nanyang Girls' High earned themselves a place in the semi-finals after edging out Shuqun Secondary 2-0 (25-19, 25-14) in a Group Y quarter-final match at the National B Division Girls Volleyball Championship.

Eleanor Chua (Nanyang #1) opened the scoring with a well executed drop shot. Kavis Koh (Shuqun #6) then returned a serve into a waiting Eleanor (Nanyang #1), who promptly dropped it out of reach. Low Yiyuan (Nanyang #3) spiked out on the next rally to give Shuqun the serve. Clarrissa (Shuqun #2) leveled the score at 2-2 after she sent a light spike off Eleanor's (Nanyang #1) block.

Eleanor (Nanyang #1) and Chan Chuning (Nanyang #5) then proceeded to take several points for the team. They took a 10-5 lead, prompting Shuqun to call for a timeout. Shuqun kept on Nanyang's heels, and came close to equalizing. However, Nanyang simply surged ahead, forcing Shuqun to call for another time out at the 16-11 mark.

Nanyang kept up the pressure, and continued raking in points. Shuqun's two-man block strategy did not seem to be very effective against Eleanor (Nanyang #1) even though they had earlier employed this strategy effectively in their previous match against the powerful spikes of Dunman Secondary’s Jia En (#2).

However, with Eleanor (Nanyang #1) and Chuning (Nanyang #5) wedged at the back row, Shuqun took advantage of the situation to make a comeback. They came within three points of Nanyang at the 20-17 mark, forcing Nanyang to call for a timeout.

Nanyang were unable to organize a return in the next rally, and saw Shuqun narrow the gap to two points. Shuqun then came within a point of Nanyang when Fernanda (Shuqun #1) sent a soft spike which saw Chuning (Nanyang #5) unable to receive.

Nanyang were not going to let Shuqun steal the set, and Celene Wan (Nanyang #2) spiked down one for the team. Nanyang were soon at set point after Shuqun were unable to rescue a stray ball. Nanyang took the set after Fernanda (Shuqun #1) spiked the ball into the net.

The second set was a tough start with both teams neck and neck. Shuqun took an initial lead, only for Nanyang to catch up. The scores remained close, and the teams were tied at 8-8.

However, Nanyang then blitzed to a 20-13 lead, with the last few points won by good service from Yiyuan (Nanyang #3). Shuqun promptly called for a timeout to break her momentum, but Yiyuan (Nanyang #3) responded with an ace upon resumption.

But alas, Yiyuan (Nanyang #3) served the ball out to prevent a quick finish to the match. Fernanda (Shuqun #1) was unable to return Chuning's (Nanyang #5) spike at the next rally, and Nanyang were at match point.

Celene (Nanyang #2) took home the last point after she sent back a loose ball which found her block, with Shuqun unable to rescue it.

Shuqun, who have two losses from two games played, are out of the national championship. Nanyang Girls' will play the other semi-final qualifier Dunman Secondary on Monday, March 29 at 1.30pm to determine who will top Group Y. The match will be held at Presbyterian High.

Final Result
Nanyang 2 Shuqun 0
(25-19, 25-14)

More photos in the gallery.

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