Written by: Amanda Ong
Edited by: Jared Rajiv
Photos by: EusoffWorks
Last Preliminary Match for the Female Voll(eh)ball Team, before they enter the endgame - Semis and hopefully Finals, in the very last week of IHG! This match also holds some bittersweet significance as it is the last volleyball match that Shak will be participating in, for this IHG season. The night of the match, Shak hopped on a flight and left for SEP. The team will definitely miss her presence on and off-court, as they go on to fight for GOLD.
Final Results:
EH 2 - 0 SH
Set 1: 25-8 to EH
Set 2: 25-15 to EH
Every player on the team was on their tip-top condition today as the team truly dominated the match and bagged a swift win in under an hour. On top of that, every player in the lineup played in the match, with some even making their volleyball debut! The team was in high spirits after the game and went on to enjoy packed watermelon, prepared by Zhi Lun - their Team Manager. Time to relive some of the key highlights…
In the time it took for me to type out the starting lineup of Jerica, Shak, Yun Xi, Zoey, Shirley, Nikki B and Angel, the team spiked and scored a point, 1-0 to EH already. With a service ace from Nikki and a lightning spike from Shak, the team was up 4-0 to EH. Notably, beautiful sets were made by Nikki, assisting the team to make their powerful spikes one after another. Memorable happenings this set also included Jerica’s “AAAAH” the moment she served and realised the ball was not going to pass over the net. Angel also made a tricky spike just over the net, well-deserving of a pat “good job” which she gave herself right after the point. Slay! 18-6 to EH! Good saves and tries were also seen by Nikki, Jerica, Yun Xi, Shirley and Zoey, making the perfect touch to salvage a dangerous ball and even hitting the ground during their attempts. Service Aces by the team was also in abundance, from Nikki, Jerica, Shirley, Angel and Yen Kit - #87 who served up 5 service aces in a row to bring the score from 20-8 to EH to 25-8 to EH. Truly a breezy set, well done!
Shirley stays composed as she charges up her serve
To start the 2nd Set, the team did their usual ‘Eusoff Ace’ cheer as well as a Shak cheer! Second lineup saw the addition of Isabelle alongside players, Nikki, Jerica, Shak, Shirley, Angel and Zoey (Libero). As usual, Shak delivers a stunning spike, Sheares blocks, Shak makes a save and the team puts it over, Sheares spikes but Isabelle makes a good receive. Nikki sets it and Jerica spikes it home, 3-0 to EH. Points from spikes and service aces makes it a 7-0 to EH. At timeout, the team gives a Shak cheer while the stands return with a Said cheer to complement. As the girls take their positions on court, a “HI SHAK” can be heard from the stands - likely from Said. Back into the game, Zoey makes a good receive, and Shirley with an amazing block, 9-1 to EH. Jerica with yet another Service Ace, 10-1 to EH. Excellent judgement was observed when Isabelle spikes and Sheares counters with a block, and just as Zoey was about to make the save, she dodged swiftly and allowed the ball to go out! Point for Eusoff, 11-3 to EH. Jerica also goes on to juke the opponents with a far hit that reaches the back of the court, misleading Sheares into thinking it was an out ball, but was perfectly in! 12-5 to EH. Despite a few tumbles and tries at saving sheares’ spikes, a few points were lost but the team was completely unfazed, 14-9 to EH. Isabelle starts the comeback with a solid spike, 15-9 to EH. Followed by Angel’s spike, 16-9 to EH, and another spike by Isabelle, 18-10 to EH. Joy and Ruowei also subbed in to serve! Notably, Ruowei makes a good serve that results in quite a rally before Shirley seals it with a block. But after a challenge by Sheares’ “coach” that claims he does not play volleyball but only watches Haikyuu, the referee calls for a re-serve. Though the re-serve fell short, it was still a good debut from Ruowei. With 21-14 to EH on the line, Jerica makes a beautiful service ace - just on the tip of the net, 22-14 to EH. Last few points. Angel saves a dangerous ball and Shak wows the stands with a spike, 24-15 to EH. Match point. Bellerie to serve. Good spike from Shak. Nice block by Captain Angel - and POINT! Second Set ends with a neat 25-15 to EH. A satisfying and amazing match was delivered to all spectators.
Captain Angel smiling in midair as she fools the blockers with a cheeky feint
Want to see more from the Female Voll(eh)ball Team? Catch them at the Semi Finals! Playing against Kent Ridge Hall at UTSH1 on 2nd February, Thursday, 6pm!
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