Dunman hold off Shuqun in B Division girls volleyball

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Presbyterian High School, Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - Dunman Secondary held off Shuqun Secondary to win 2-1 (25-17, 23-25, 25-19) in a Group Y quarter-final match at the National B Division Girls Volleyball Championship.

Shuqun were given the first point of the set after Jia En (Dunman #2) spiked out. However, setter Claira (Dunman #11) leveled when she spiked into an empty spot. Dunman then took the lead after Shuqun's setter Kimberly (#10) executed a drop ball into the net. Clarrissa (Shuqun #2) then hit the ball out to give Dunman another point. Dunman soon took a 6-1 lead, leading to a timeout by Shuqun.

Upon resumption, Humairah (Shuqun #7) sent a light spike into the centre of Dunman's court to break Dunman's scoring streak. However, it was not to be as Dunman recovered and blitzed to a 10-3 lead.

Despite a brief Shuqun rally, Dunman maintained their lead, forcing Shuqun to call a timeout at the 18-11 mark. Dunman, who were in high gear, continued on their rampage, and saw themselves at 23-11 after a net touch by Clarrissa (Shuqun #2).

However, Claira (Dunman #11) served out to deny themselves set point. In the next rally, Jia En (Dunman #2) fired a strong spike at Shuqun. It seemed like the point would be Dunman's, but Shuqun somehow returned the ball into an empty spot, catching Dunman off their guard.

Jia En (Dunman #2) then spiked the ball out at the next rally to see the score at 23-14. Dunman seemed to have problems taking down the last two points, and saw Shuqun take two subsequent points. A timeout was called by Dunman at the 23-16 mark.

This time round, Jia En (Dunman #2) made sure she converted, spiking off the Shuqun block to bring the team to set point. However, Dunman could not organize a return on the next rally, giving Shuqun the point. Weiyu (Dunman #3) finally won the set with a spike from the outside.

Shuqun took the first point of the second set when Huijie's (Dunman #7) drop shot was blocked. Shuqun subsequently took the next point, but Dunman soon equalized. Dunman kept themselves ahead of Shuqun, with the latter constantly on their heels. Shuqun were determined not to let Dunman command an extensive lead as in the first set.

They finally leveled with Dunman at the 14-14 mark after catching Dunman off guard at a rally. Dunman had thought that they had managed to win the rally, however Shuqun again managed to stage a return. From then on, the score was kept neck-and-neck, with the scores eventually level at 19-19.

Shuqun were resolute in preventing Dunman from winning the game, and they went all out for the final few points. Their efforts paid off as they pulled ahead to 23-21 after Weiyu (Dunman #3) failed to drop the ball across. Shuqun saw themselves at set point after Dunman were unable to receive a serve from the Shuqun #13.

Dunman were trying their best not to let Shuqun steal the set. Dunman successfully blocked Fernanda's (Shuqun #1) spike to draw closer to Shuqun. A good serve by Weiyu (Dunman #3) saw Dunman get within one point of Shuqun.

However, Shuqun held off Dunman to take the set when Clarrissa's (Shuqun #2) spike from the outside was deflected out by Dunman.

Shuqun were all fired up, and their morale on a high after managing to hold off Dunman. Clarrissa (Shuqun #2) took the first point of the rubber set with a well executed drop ball. Amanda (Shuqun #11) took the next point for Shuqun when Dunman were unable to receive her spike.

But Dunman were able to level with two good shots from Jia En (Dunman #2). The score was initially kept close, but Dunman managed to pull ahead to 11-6, leading to a timeout by Shuqun. At the changeover, Dunman led 13-6.

It seemed like it was going to be a repeat of the first set as Dunman went all out to take a huge lead. They blitzed to a 20-11 lead, and all seemed lost for Shuqun. A timeout at the 21-11 mark by Shuqun could not stop Dunman from reaching match point despite Shuqun managing to take some points of their own.

With the score at 24-15, it seemed like it was going to be a herculean task for Shuqun to steal the set from Dunman. Nevertheless, Shuqun were not going down without a fight.

Huijie (Dunman #7) could not send the ball over at the next rally, and a spike by Weiyu (Dunman #3) that went out of bounds saw Shuqun take the next two points. Fernanda (Shuqun #1) held off Dunman's celebrations when her light spike was deflected out.

Dunman's libero received Rosanna's (Shuqun #8) out of bounds to see the score stand at 24-19. A time-out was called by Dunman, and Dunman finally sealed the game when Weiyu (Dunman #3) deflected her spike off Kavis' (Shuqun #6) one-hand receive.

Dunman and Shuqun are drawn in Group Y alongside Nanyang Girls' High and Jurong Secondary. Shuqun will play Nanyang Girls' on Thursday, March 25 at 1pm. Dunman will then face Jurong at 1.50pm. Both matches will be played at CCAB.

The B and C Division girls matches are played at both Presbyterian High and CCAB.

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!

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