Hua Yi beat Yuhua to secure second round spot in West Zone B Division girls volleyball

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Hua Yi Secondary, Thursday, January 20, 2011 – Hua Yi Secondary have assured themselves a place in the second round of the B Division Girls West Zone Volleyball Championship after beating Yuhua Secondary 2-0 (25-19, 25-15) in their Group A match. They will play Jurong Secondary on Monday, January 24 to determine who tops the group.

Hua Yi started off the match strong by establishing a 3-0 lead. Despite a few serves that went out of bounds, Hua Yi continued retaining their lead, prompting Yuhua to call for a time out at the 12-6 mark. Hua Yi did not let up as they continued their scoring streak, chalking up a seven-point lead by the 16-point mark.

However, Yuhua were not going down easy as they fought hard to prevent Hua Yi from snatching a fast win. Point by point, they closed in and narrowed the score gap to five points to trail 17-22. A time out by Hua Yi allowed the team to get back on track as they edged towards set point after Yuhua was unable to receive their spike. Hua Yi then took the set after their opponents were unable to return the ball in their subsequent rally.

Mistakes from Hua Yi in the second set allowed Yuhua to lead 5-0 from the start. However, they quickly recovered to level the score 5-5, and turned the tables as they stormed ahead. Two time outs by Yuhua at the 7-5 mark and the 11-5 mark provided no respite as Hua Yi continued to hold Yuhua at bay.

Hua Yi eventually saw themselves with a nine-point lead at 23-14 after Yuhua’s spike went out. Despite Yuhua taking the next point with a well placed drop shot, Hua Yi brought themselves to match point after a drop shot by from the centre by Cassandra Kuan (Hua Yi #6). In the finally rally, Lim Ruijia (Hua Yi #8) sent a drop shot from the outside into the Yuhua court. Yuhua managed to receive her shot, but they unfortunately could not organise their return, giving Hua Yi the win.

Final score
Hua Yi 2 Yuhua 0
(25-19, 25-15)

For more photos, go the the next page.