Dunman hold off Chung Cheng High (Yishun) to emerge third in C Division girls’ volleyball

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

CCAB, Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - Dunman Secondary survived a scare to hold off Chung Cheng High (Yishun) 3-2 (25-22, 25-17, 29-35, 17-25, 15-5) in the C Division Girls’ Volleyball Championship 3rd/4th placing match.

Dunman started the first set well, commanding an early lead. Cheng Cheng kept the scores close, but could not stop Dunman from surging forth at the last moment to win. Chung Cheng let slip their lead in the second set, and saw Dunman steal the game from them.

The third set was extremely close, with the teams still tied late into the game. However, Chung Cheng went up to take the set. In the fourth set, Chung Cheng stepped on the pedal and blitzed off to lead decisively. Dunman could not catch up, and saw Chung Cheng take the fourth set. In the final set, Dunman kept Chung Cheng at bay to win easily.

1st set
Dunman took the first point of the game when Chung Cheng's libero deflected Faith Chan's (Dunman #7) serve out of bounds. A drop shot by Celine Ng (Dunman #9) saw the team take another point. Vanessa (Chung Cheng #3) then hooked the ball out of bounds for Dunman to take a 3-0 lead. However, they could not organize a return on the next rally for Chung Cheng to take their first point. Yan Ning (Chung Cheng #1) however served into the net for Dunman to continue their scoring streak.

Dunman soon commanded a 8-2 lead over Chung Cheng, but Chung Cheng were quickly close behind. Chung Cheng eventually drew level at 14-14 after the Dunman libero deflected Yan Ning's (Chung Cheng #1) serve out of bounds. Chung Cheng then went one up when Wen Ting (Chung Cheng #5) executed a well placed drop shot.

The scores remained close, but Dunman soon took a slender lead at 21-19, leading to a time out by Chung Cheng. Chung Cheng caught up again and tied 21-21 after an ace from Wen Ting (Chung Cheng #5). Dunman however pulled forth, and were at set point after Chung Cheng were unable to receive a spike. Yan Bin (Chung Cheng #12) gifted Dunman the last point after she saw her free ball go out of bounds.

2nd set
Celine (Dunman #9) took the first point for the team when Chung Cheng were caught off guard by her return. Wen Ting's (Chung Cheng #5) spike hit the antenna on the next rally for Dunman to take the next point. However, Celine (Dunman #9) spiked out of bounds to see the score stand at 2-1. Chung Cheng were not going to let Dunman take an early lead, and kept pressure on Dunman early in the game. They manage to lead 11-6, before Dunman called for a time out.

But it was not Chung Cheng's day, as they saw Dunman catch up, and turn the tables to win the set 25-17.

3rd set
It was a close third set as the scores were neck and neck. Chung Cheng had an initial lead, but Dunman soon caught up and overtook Chung Cheng at the 12-12 mark. The scores continued to be close, and both teams were tied at the 19-19 mark. Determined not to let Dunman take the set, Chung Cheng summoned all their strength and went ahead to set point after a good serve from Vanessa (Chung Cheng #3). Chung Cheng took the set after spiking to the backline.

4th set
Dunman started off the fourth set well, leading 4-0. They continued pressure, and blitzed to a 7-1 lead. Chung Cheng were not unfazed by the challenge, and caught up 8-8 with Dunman, leading to a time out by the latter.

But it was to no avail as Chung Cheng stepped on the pedal to eventually lead 21-13. Dunman took the next two points, leading to a time out by Dunman. Vanessa (Chung Cheng #3) was unable to reach a stray ball in time upon the restart, and Dunman took the next point. However, Dunman were unable to return the ball on the next rally for the score to reach 22-16. Wen Ting (Chung Cheng #5) then executed a drop shot to see the score stand at 23-16. The Dunman #6 responded with a drop shot of her own to prevent Chung Cheng from reaching set point.

Unfortunately, Lau Ee Shan (Dunman #11) served out of bounds to gift Chung Cheng set point. Wen Ting (Chung Cheng #5) then blocked the Dunman #6's spike to seal the set 25-17.

5th set
Dunman seemed a little rattled at seeing Chung Cheng steal two sets from them. Chung Cheng on the other hand were all fired up, and were raring to take the last set. Cheered on by a large group of supporters, their morale was high.

Yan Ning (Chung Cheng #1) took the first point when she fired off a good serve for Dunman to deflect it out. A drop shot by Chung Cheng then saw them take the next point as well. But it was not to be as Dunman quickly overtook them to lead 5-2. Chung Cheng suddenly had problems on their receive as well as organizing any attack. Chung Cheng had to call for a time out at the 7-2 mark.

Upon the restart, Dunman fired off a strong spike to continue their scoring streak. They continued their momentum to command a 12-3 lead, leading to another time out by Chung Cheng.

It seemed like all was lost, but Chung Cheng continued fighting on. Wen Ting (Chung Cheng #5) put up some good blocking in the next rally to keep their hopes alive. Dunman #7 sent a free ball to the backline to catch Chung Cheng off guard. Dunman then saw themselves at match point after the Dunman #13 blocked a loose ball from Chung Cheng.

Ee Shan (Dunman #11) then sealed the match for the team with a light spike.

Final Score
Dunman 3 Chung Cheng 2
(25-22, 25-17,19-25, 17-25, 15-5)