Xinmin hold off Presbyterian High to top Group X in B Division Girls volleyball quarter-finals

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Presbyterian High School, Monday, March 29, 2010 - Xinmin Secondary held off a resilient Presbyterian High 2-1 (25-15, 19-25, 26-24) to top Group X in the B Division Girls volleyball quarter-finals.

Presbyterian High had needed to notch a win in order to qualify for the semi-finals, but they saw their season come to an end, losing out to St Hilda's Secondary based on their win-loss record.

Presbyterian High took the first point after Rachael Ramachandran (Xinmin #1) served out. However, Ting Ting (Presbyterian High #2) returned the favour when she served into the net. After a tight rally, Jaime (Xinmin #18) executed a drop shot to take one for the team.

Xinmin started off well, taking a 10-5 lead. Presbyterian High tried to organize themselves, but were unable to stop Xinmin from increasing their lead further. Soon, Xinmin were at match point after Presbyterian High were unable to return the shot. However, Rachael (Xinmin #1) was fouled for a net contact at the next rally. Felicia (Xinmin #12) sealed the set for the team when her spike from the outside saw the Presbyterian High #1 unable to get.

The second set started off with a very intense rally. Jaime (Xinmin #18) finally took the point when she sent the ball to the left line. Estella (Presbyterian High #18) spiked out on the next rally for Xinmin to take another point. However, Presbyterian High were not about to let their first set defeat set them back.

Presbyterian High turned the tables on Xinmin and went ahead to lead 6-3. Xinmin were facing problems with their receive, and had to watch helplessly as Presbyterian High blitzed to a 12-4 lead.

Xinmin tried their best to catch up, but it was to no avail as Presbyterian High hit set point after the Xinmin libero, Sherhui (#14) was unable to receive a spike from the Presbyterian High #1. With the score standing at 24-14, it seemed like Presbyterian High were going to take the set.

However, Xinmin held on as long as they could, scoring six consecutive points. Alas, Xinmin saw the set go to Presbyterian High after their libero deflected a spike out of bounds.

It was an exciting third set. Both teams were neck and neck. Presbyterian High took an initial lead, but saw Xinmin close in to level at 9-9 after Huixin (Xinmin #17) spun a spike to the back which the Presbyterian High libero could not get. The teams leveled at several points, and Xinmin were trailing by just one point at the changeover.

Presbyterian High were eager to shake off Xinmin, and were momentarily successful. They saw themselves hold a three point lead over Xinmin at 15-12 after an ace from Ting Ting (Presbyterian High #2).

A Xinmin time out seemed to mark their comeback. They climbed back, and leveled at 16-16 after Jaime (Xinmin #18) spiked to the right back. Presbyterian High then went up once more after Estella (Presbyterian High #18) spiked off the block. The lead changed hands several times, and everyone was on the edge of their seats.

By then, a huge crowd of Presbyterian High supporters had shown up and were cheering their lungs out for their team. Xinmin refused to let this affect them, and fought hard to hold off Presbyterian High. At the 21-20 mark, Xinmin called for a time out.

Rachael (Xinmin #1) leveled the score at 21-21 after she saw her spike bounce off the white tape, and fall into an empty spot. Xinmin then took the lead after Felicia (Xinmin #12) spiked to an empty spot, prompting to a time out by Presbyterian High.

At the 23-23 mark, things were really heating up as everyone was eager to see which way the match would go. The Presbyterian High #3 served into the net for Xinmin to reach match point. However, Presbyterian High saved the match point after blocking Xinmin's spike.

Felicia (Xinmin #12) gave the team an advantage again after spiking down the line from the outside. A long and intense rally ensured, with several Xinmin spikes being blocked, and rescued by the players. Jaime (Xinmin #18) finally sealed the match after a spike from the centre, sending Presbyterian High out of the Championship.

Along with St Hilda's Secondary and Cedar Girls, Presbyterian High have one win and two losses. However, St Hilda's, who beat Cedar Girls' 2-1 in an earlier match, had won a total of four sets compared to Cedar's and Presbyterian High's three, and hence qualifying for the semi-finals due to a superior win-loss record.

Final score
Xinmin 2 Presbyterian High 1
(25-15, 19-25, 26-24)

Group X runner up St Hilda's Secondary will play Group Y champions Dunman Secondary on Thursday, April 1, 12pm at Presbyterian High.

Xinmin Secondary will then play Group Y runner up at 1.30pm after that.

More photos in the gallery.

Editor’s note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates in any of the photos, please feel free to leave the names behind and we will update accordingly. Thanks!

Related posts:
Want to nominate YOUR best volleyball player? Click here!
Which schools will make the top four in the 2010 C Division Volleyball Championships?
Which schools will make the top four in the 2010 B Division Volleyball Championships?

Go to the SCHOOLS FIXTURES & RESULTS page for more information.