Written by: Ng Sihern
Edited by: Jared Rajiv
Photos by: EusoffWorks
With the guys' team starting their IHG journey yesterday, today was Eusoff’s female squash team’s turn to start their IHG against Sheares.
To start off the game, it was yiyin who was going to play in the first set. After earning the first point of the game, the Sheares player rolled her ankle. Yiyin showed great sportsmanship, checking whether her opponent was okay. This was followed by a long break as the Sheares player seeked treatment. Finally,she was back on her feet and into the court. Yiyin proved to be too good for her opponent, who was also a bit afraid to run due to her injury. The points rose quickly for Eusoff’s side and eventually, the set finished 11-0. Yiyin was ruthless and didn’t even drop a point in that set. In the 2nd set, Sheares was still struggling to return yiyin’s balls and just like the first set, the score was 11-0. In the 3rd set, there started to be some rallies between the players. With some smart plays, yiyin eventually came out on top, finishing the set 11-2. And with that, the first match ends 3-0 for Eusoff!.
Yiyin lining up her serve to consistently set up points for herself
The 2nd player to play Sheares was Queenie. This time it was a much closer match. The 2 players were testing each other's abilities in the first few points and they remained inseparable to the score of 4-4. However, Sheares managed to gain momentum and started taking the lead. The set ends 11-6 to Sheares and they take the first set of the match. In the 2nd set, SH took an early lead, making the score 4-1. With some good serves by Queenie, she managed to bring the score back and take the lead 5-4. Unfortunately, SH played well and the set ended 11-5. The score is now 2-0 to SH. In the 3rd set, SH put up a great performance and despite Queenie giving it her all, the set ended with a score of 11-3. It was a great effort by Queenie though. She played well but the SH player was really quite good.
For the 3rd set, it was Irene who will be playing for EH. SH started strong and took the lead with a score of 2-0. The sheares player had a little slip but luckily it was nothing serious and we were back into the game. Irene managed to bring the score back to 2-2 and with a good serve, made the score 4-3 to Eusoff. Both players were neck and neck, playing up till the score of 8-8. Irene maintained her composure and managed to close off the set with a score of 11-9. One supporter mentioned how Irene was graceful when she was playing squash, it's as if she was dancing. Also, fun fact, the racket Irene is using is her first and only racket for the past 6 years. Her relationship with her racket is longer than some other peoples’ relationships. No wonder she plays like the racket is part of her. Anyways, in the 2nd set, while I got distracted talking about her racket, she brought the score to 8-5 and eventually finished the set 11-5. You can see how quickly she took that set, I was just gone for like a few minutes and the points just kept coming. In the 3rd set, both players played well and the scores were tight (6-6). Irene looked a bit tired and kept asking for a few seconds before her opponent served. But I think she wasn't tired; she was just playing with her opponent's mind. Well her trick worked and she finished the set 11-6. She was so happy she won!! Y’all should have been there to see her celebrating it with her teammates. With irene’s victory, EH take the lead in the game with a score of 2-1.
Irene getting ready to send her opponents serve straight back at her
In the 4th set, Shiryee was the one facing SH. The first freshie in this lineup. Probably her first ever IHG game she’s gotta be feeling nervous. Shiryee started strongly and took a good lead of 4 points. SH were just unable to return Shiryee’s balls. Somehow, SH managed to get back in the game and made the score 7-6. It was a close game towards the end but SH managed to take the set 11-9. In the 2nd set, the players matched each others abilities and the score was tied 8-8. But Shiryee got the better of her opponent and EH took the set 11-9. The match score is now tied at 1-1. In the 3rd set, Sheares managed to bounce back from the previous set and took the 3rd set with a score of 11-5. With that, SH led 2-1 in the match. THe 4th set started with both players unable to pull away from each other, the score was 5-5. Shiryee broke away and took a lead but Sheares managed to make things even. After a nail-biting few points towards the end, Shiryee came out on top and took the set 11-9. The match score is now 2-2, winner of the next set wins the match! In the final set, both players were neck and neck again for the first few points as the score reached 5-5. Then, SH started to gain a 4 point lead and it was not 9-5 to Sheares. While the match might seem like its favoring SH winning, Shiryee stayed focus. It was 10-7 and Sheares just needed 1 more point to win the set and the match. BUT NO, Shiryee came back and made the score 10-10. What a comeback, she managed to save 3 match points. With 5 points in a row, Shiryee takes the last set 12-10. The EH supporters went crazy. It sure was an exciting match. With Shiryee’s win, EH won the match and the score is now 3-1. At this point, EH has already taken the W.
In 5th and final match of the night, we have Jun Lu, another freshie, to take on Sheares. Despite SH taking the lead, Jun Lu fought back and tied the points 9-9. Eventually, Jun Lu was able to see out the set 12-10. Close!. In the 2nd set, SH played well and took a strong lead. Despite JunLu giving it her all, the set ends 11-6 to Sheares. The match is now tied 1-1. The 3rd set was much closer, with the score being 4-4. Jun Lu managed to take the lead and made the score 9-5. Wow, also the Sheares player somehow hit the ceiling. The set ends 11-6 to EH. 2-1 to Eusoff for this match!. In the 4th set, Jun Lu looked to finish the game once and for all. She played well and took a huge point lead, making the score 7-2. Jun Lu was some strong aggressive hits. It's kinda scary. I think it scares the opponent as well because she’s winning all the points. With a great performance, the match ended 11-2 to EH! The match ends 3-1 to Eusoff. With that, Eusoff take the victory with a score of 4-1.
Jun Lu with a nice serve forcing errors from her opponent
Eusoff Squash F Prelims vs SH
Match 1. Player: Yiyin
11-0 EH
11-0 EH
11-2 EH
Match 1 score: EH 3-0 SH
Match 2. Player: Queenie
11-6 SH
11-5 SH
11-3 SH
Match 2 score: EH 0-3 SH
Match 3. Player: Irene
11-9 EH
11-5 EH
11-7 EH
Match 3 score. EH 3-0 SH
Match 4. Player: ShirYee
9-11 SH
11-9 EH
5-11 SH
11-9 EH
12-10 EH
Match 4 score: EH 3-2 SH
Match 5. Player: Jun Lu
12-10 EH
6-11 SH
11-6 EH
11-2 EH
Match 5 score: EH 3-1 SH
Overall game score: EH 4-1 SH
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