B Div Vball (Girls): Xinmin dash Shuqun’s Round 2 hopes after 2-1 victory

Ministry of Education Sports & Recreation Club, Thursday, March 1, 2012 — Xinmin Secondary dashed Shuqun Secondary’s hopes of qualifying for the next round after beating them 2-1 (22-25, 26-24, 25-15) in their Round One, Group B match of the National B Division Girls’ Volleyball Championship.

Shuqun had found themselves in a tough group alongside North Zone champions Xinmin Secondary, East Zone runners-up Ngee Ann Secondary and South Zone third runners-up Ang Mo Kio Secondary. Having suffered a narrow loss to Ngee Ann in their earlier match, they needed a victory to revive their hopes of progressing to the next round.

With this loss, there will be no way Shuqun can progress even with one more match to play. Should they beat Ang Mo Kio Secondary on Wednesday, their 1-2 win-loss record will still be unable to overtake Xinmin and Ngee Ann Secondary, who already have two wins under their belt.

Yet Shuqun were the ones who were initially in control. They put up a hard fight and managed to take the lead in the first set. Despite Xinmin’s attempts at catching up, they could not overcome Shuqun as the latter took the set 25-22.

In the second set, Xinmin made a comeback as they pulled ahead to take the lead. Shuqun faltered and saw the score progress from 15-10 to 20-13.

Shuqun were not going to go down easy and staged a comeback. They drew within three points of Xinmin to prompt the latter to call a timeout at the 20-17 mark. But there was no stopping Shuqun as they continued on to draw within one point of Xinmin.

Kim Choo (Xinmin #7) managed to stem off Shuqun’s advances in the next rally as her block gave her team an additional point advantage. She then further increased her team’s lead after serving a powerful ball which was deflected out of bounds by Shuqun.

Shuqun were unperturbed, and quickly caught up to level the score 23-23.

Ferlicia (Xinmin #10) managed to hold off Shuqun as she deflected her spike off the Shuqun block to go out of bounds. Unfortunately, her next spike went of bounds for the set to enter a deuce.

Hui Shi (Xinmin #11) took the advantage for Xinmin once again as she scored the next point with a spike. Xinmin then finished the set after Kim Choo (Xinmin #7) sent a spike into the Shuqun court which was received but not returned.

In the third set, Xinmin broke free from the initial stalemate to lead 13-8 at the changeover.

They continued their momentum and further extend their lead to 16-8.

At this point, Shuqun made changes to their setter and subset, but Xinmin continued raking in points.

Soon, Xinmin were leading 24-15, and Hui Shi (Xinmin #11) promptly finished off the set with a powerful cross court spike.

Xinmin will now take on Ngee Ann on Monday, March 5 in a top of the table clash where the victor will finish Round One at the top of Group B.

Final score
Xinmin 2 Shuqun 1
2-25, 26-24, 25-15

National B Division Girls’ Volleyball Championship — fixtures and results

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