Shuqun beat Xinmin 3-2 to secure third in national B Division boys’ volleyball

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

CCAB, Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - Shuqun Secondary fought off a determined Xinmin Secondary to win 3-2 (25-27, 25-17, 25-13, 22-25, 15-12) in the National B Division Boys Volleyball Championship 3rd/4th placing match.

Xinmin started off the first set strong, commanding a decisive lead throughout. Shuqun's comeback attempt fell short, with Xinmin managing to hold off their advances. Shuqun however found their footing in the second set. Despite the game being a close one at the start, Xinmin was no match for Shuqun in the later part as the latter blitzed to take the set easily.

The third set saw Shuqun continue with their momentum. They steamrolled their opponents 25-13 to go one set up. In the fourth set however, Xinmin were not going to let Shuqun win so easily. Despite the latter having a lead, Xinmin caught up and turned the tables on the latter. The rubber set was a close encounter. With both teams tied right till the very end, it was Shuqun who prevailed as they edged out Xinmin 15-12.

1st set
Shuqun took the first two points of the first set after a strong attack, followed by a ´double' from Xinmin's setter. However, Xinmin responded with a block to take their first point. With both teams seeming to be equally matched, they kept the scores close, leveling at 6-6. Shuqun called for a time out after trailing 6-9.

Clever play and powerful spikes from Deepak Rai (Xinmin #13) allowed Xinmin to eventually command a 15-9 lead. However, despite keeping pressure on, they saw Shuqun catch up slowly. Shuqun caught up to within one point of Xinmin at 21-22 after a well executed drop shot, leading a time out by Xinmin.

Brandy Seah (Shuqun #9) unfortunately sent his spike into the net upon the restart for Xinmin to pull away. Koh Jin Hao (Shuqun #6) narrowed the score gap once again with a quick ball. Deepak (Xinmin #13) was caught off position on the opposite corner, and subsequently spiked a ball into the net for Shuqun to draw level at 23-23. Shuqun then turned the tables on Xinmin when Chivas Seah (Shuqun #11) spiked down the block to bring the team to set point.

Andy Koh (Xinmin #8) however, denied Shuqun the set when he forced the match into a deuce via a spike to an empty spot. Both teams deuced once again at the 25-25 mark. Xinmin saw themselves at set point after Shuqun were unable to spike over, and they sealed the set after Shuqun were unable to return Andy's (Xinmin #8) shot.

2nd set
Both teams kept each others in check in the second set. Shuqun were beginning to settle in and began pounding Xinmin. Xinmin's defence suddenly seemed to be crumbling and Shuqun soon blitzed to a 16-10 lead, leading to a time out by Xinmin. However, it was to no avail as Shuqun reached 20-12 after Xinmin were unable to receive a serve.

At the 22-15 mark, Xinmin had to call for a time out, but it was not enough as Shuqun took the next point after their player spiked through the Xinmin block. Pai Hong Koon (Xinmin #18) spiked into an empty spot in the next rally to deny Shuqun set point. But it was to no avail as Alvin Lim (Xinmin #4) served into the net to gift Shuqun set point. Shuqun then sealed the set after stuffing out a drop shot attempt by Xinmin.

3rd set
With their engines all fired up, Shuqun went forth to lead 6-4 in the third set. Xinmin continued playing many quick balls to catch Shuqun off guard. With good blocking by Xinmin, they eventually leveled 8-8, only for Shuqun to pull ahead once again. Xinmin came close to leveling several times, but Shuqun continued to hold a slender lead.

Xinmin eventually had to call for a time out when they trailed 11-15, with the last point being lost after Deepak (Xinmin #13) spiked into the net from the back court. Shuqun continued their rampage, capitalizing on Xinmin's unforced errors. With good spiking, Shuqun managed to lead 21-11. Xinmin called for a time out after the next point was lost when they missed a quick shot attempt.

Brandy (Shuqun #9) took the next point after he spiked unblocked into Xinmin's court. Shuqun were at 23-12 after Eng Sin Hau (Xinmin #10) spiked out from the outside. Off a free ball by Shuqun, Sin Hau (Xinmin #10) went for a quick ball to deny Shuqun a point. However, Shuqun quickly responded with a spike to reach set point. Shuqun sealed the set after Xinmin tried to dunk on the second touch, only to see it find the net.

4th set
Chivas Seah (Shuqun #11) forced a touch out from Xinmin to take the first point of the fourth set. Good service by Sin Hau (Shuqun #10) saw him take the next two points for Shuqun. A spike by Deepak (Xinmin #13) saw Shuqun's scoring streak take a momentary break, but a drop shot soon saw it start again.

Xinmin were not going to let Shuqun pull a fast one on them and surged to as 8-5 lead early in the set. It was neck and neck as nothing separated the two teams. The teams eventually tied 9-9 after Hong Koon (Xinmin #18) spiked out. A good serve by Shuqun saw the team steal the lead. Another two consecutive spikes out of bounds by Hong Koon (Xinmin #18) saw Shuqun lead 12-9.

However, Xinmin soon tied the game at 13-13 after Shuqun were unable to rescue a rebounded shot off their own block. It was a close encounter, with both teams tied at several points in the game. Xinmin summoned all their effort to break free, and subsequently managed to hold Shuqun at the 17-point mark to lead 21-17. They soon took set point after forcing a touch out.

Brandy (Shuqun #9) denied Xinmin a quick win when he spiked down the line to take the score to 24-22. But it was no use as Xinmin took the set after spiking off the Shuqun block.

5th set
Chivas (Shuqun #11) took the first point of the rubber set with a good spike. Hong Koon (Xinmin #18) responded with a spike to the backline to tie the score at 1-1. The score subsequently progressed to 3-3, but Xinmin pulled ahead to lead 6-3, leading to a time out by Shuqun.

The time out seemed to turn things around for Shuqun as they quickly caught up, tying 6-6 after a quick ball. Shuqun then took the lead after they saw Xinmin unable to return Dresden's (Shuqun #14) serve. Xinmin then failed to convert a quick ball to trail 6-8 at the changeover.

Deepak (Xinmin #13) who was benched to take a breather following several unforced errors was brought back in, allowing Xinmin to tie 9-9. The scores remained close, with Xinmin trailing by only one point at 11-12 after Deepak (Xinmin #13) spiked a loose ball back into Shuqun's court.

However, Shuqun quickly took match point after a quick ball saw Xinmin unable to return. Brandy (Shuqun #1) sealed the match after the thundered down a spike from the outside.

Final score
Shuqun 3 Xinmin 2
(25-27, 25-17, 25-13, 22-25, 15-12)