Written by: Amanda Ong
Edited by: Jared Rajiv
Photos by: EusoffWorks
Badum Badum Badum… the drums of Kent Ridge may have been the loudest sound in UTSH1 today, but emerging victorious was our Eusoff Female Voll(eh)ball Team tonight! After a very long and intense game - lasting four sets, Eusoff clinched the ‘W’ against a tough opponent. A truly significant match as it is the first match without Shak - a key player to the team, as well as an IHG debut match for Chong - our notable freshie who was injured and has been in rehabilitation since. This match displayed the unity and competency of each and every player, with every save, receive, set, spike, tip or block, they were executed with a force that proved themselves worthy contenders for this year’s title. Their on court communication and cheer after every point, showed that they weren’t fighting only for themselves, but for their team, with everyone having each other’s back. With this spirit, excellent results were achieved.
Nikki getting into position to plate a perfect set for our spikers
Final Score:
Eusoff 3 - 1 Kent Ridge
Set 1: 25-15 to EH
Set 2: 25-22 to EH
Set 3: 25-27 to KR
Set 4: 25-18 to EH
A quick breakdown of some highlights from the four sets!
1st Set: 25-15 to EH
Lineup: Angel, Yun Xi, Isabelle, Jerica, Shirley, Nikki, Zoey (Libero)
Right off the bat, Jerica hits them with a tip, 1-0 to EH. More points followed with good spikes from Shirley, Yun Xi, Jerica and Isabelle, Service Aces from Shirley and Jerica, amazing tips from Angel, killer blocks from Shirley, and big shoutout to those clutch saves by Angel and Zoey as well as those nicely placed sets by Nikki! It didn’t take long before we reached 19-12 to EH. With a good serve by Jerica, Kent Ridge struggles to put it over, placing it close to the edge. Zoey was about to make a save when her instinctive judgement came into play, dodging the ball and allowing it to go out, POINT! 20-12 to EH. Jerica pulled off another Service Ace, 21-12 to EH. With a good set from Nikki and a solid spike from Isabelle, 22-12 to EH. A few blunders gave KR some points but Zoey and Nikki pulled off many good saves, assisting the team to hit the gaps in KR’s defense, 23-15 to EH. Another spike from Isabelle proves too tough for KR to bring over, 24-15 to EH. Ending off with Shirley’s Service Ace, 25-15 to EH. A good set by the girls, they managed well on their own even without their Coach Pei Jie. Instead, (Coach) Xinlong was there for the team instead, or perhaps to show support for his EHBB pair - Shirley!
Chong unleashing yet another powerful spike towards KR's court
Set 2: 25-22 to EH
After being more warmed up from the previous set, Kent Ridge came back stronger. But our girls were unfazed and fought on harder! 2nd Set Lineup: Nikki, Angel, Isabelle, Shirley, Chong, Jerica and Zoey (Libero). Prior to this match, Chong has been conserving her energy and back, ensuring not to overexert so that she can play at her 100% for the finals. Volleyball matches are definitely not new to Chong, but this match is still her IHG debut match, must be nervewrecking nevertheless. Good tip from Shirley starts us off, 1-0 to EH. Spike from KR is blocked by Jerica and Shirley, 2-0 to EH. A fast reflex dodge from Jerica as she saw KR’s ball going out, 3-2 to EH. Good save from duo Nikki and Isabelle, solid spike from Jerica, a steady receive from Zoey before Chong brings it home! 5-4 to EH, pulling away from KR. A few weird calls from the referee has us in confusion, resulting in a 5-6 to KR. Equalised quickly by Chong with a truly powerful spike, 6-6. That does not end there as she swiftly sent another spike over, 7-8 to KR. Angel shuts KR’s ball back into their court, 8-9 to KR. Service Ace Angel makes it a 9-9. Jerica finds a gap with her spike, 10-10. Close set as points are earned back and forth. Shirley tips and 12-10 to EH. Good set from Nikki and finished by Jerica, 13-12 to EH. Meanwhile, Kent Ridge’s supporters and their drum continue to ring throughout the hall, and KR fights back, 13-15 to KR. Nikki dumps, Shirley backs it up with a block, 14-15 to EH. A nice set and spike from Nikki and Chong, 16-15 to EH. Coach Pei Jie joins the team at this crucial moment, actively guiding them to coordinate better from the sidelines, 18-16 to EH. Back at another equaliser that was broken by Isabelle with double Service Ace, 21-19 to EH. Double Service Ace from Chong ends the 2nd set, 25-22 to EH.
Set 3: 25-27 to KR
Lineup: Nikki, Jerica, Angel, Shirley, Isabelle, Chong, Zoey (Libero). As usual, Eusoff takes the first point with a good set from Nikki and a beautiful spike by Jerica. Shirley blocks KR’s spike, 2-1 to EH. The team starts gaining momentum, 3-1 then 4-1 to EH. Service Ace from Isabelle, 7-4 to EH! Angel also scores a point with a solid block after a long rally between both teams, 9-6 to EH. Another spike from Jerica makes it a 11-9 to EH, then Jerica makes a crucial save before spiking yet another! 12-9 to EH. KR makes a comeback amidst some slip ups from Eusoff side, coming at 12-19 to KR. A strong mental is needed right now to overcome and secure the set. Shirley blocks and Chong spikes, capitalizing on the mistakes by Kent Ridge to get back 21-22 to KR. Nikki saves a ball, Isabelle sets it to Chong, Chong spikes and its in! 22-23 to KR. Chong Service Ace, 23-23. To win, a two-point lead is needed, 24-25 to KR became a 25-25 with Shirley’s tip. Referee makes questionable calls… KR takes the second set with 25-27 to KR.
Set 4: 25-18 to EH
A smooth lead taken by EH, 7-0 right from the start as the team continuously delivered spikes and blocks. Next, tips and serves from Chong, Isabelle and Shirley makes it 12-5 to EH. More spikes served, Chong also makes a dive and pancake save! The slippery floor on Eusoff’s side prompts Nikki to sacrifice her shirt to wipe it dry, 16-9 to EH. Angel block, point. Jerica spike, point. Jerica tips, point. Shirley blocks, point. 20-17 to EH. Coach Pei Jie guides Shirley to better time her block, and SCORE! Shirley blocks them out! 21-17 to EH. What a save from Chong, continuing the long rally, which ends with a point to Eusoff, 24-18 to EH. Matchpoint. 25-18 to EH as a save from Nikki slips past KR’s defense. Well done, our volleyball superstars!
For the last match of the season, the team will be going head to head against a formidable rival - Temasek Hall, in a fight for the CHAMPS title as well as to bring another gold back for Eusoff. Come support and cheer them on as the energy outside is just as important as the energy on the court! LETS GO EUSOFF!
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