Written by: Gladys Loo Edited by: Leung Lok Heng & Choa Zhao Xiang Photos by: EusoffWorks
The male volleyball team went up against KR Hall on 6 February 2020, fighting for a place in the finals. It was undeniably an intense match against formidable opponents as Eusoff played a total of FIVE sets with KR, ultimately bagging a well-fought win with a score of 3-2. The fifth set that they played was a decider and it was immensely commendable that the players did not crack under all the pressure, maintaining their form and emerging victorious!
First set
The intimidating starting lineup comprised of Pei Jie, Mark Shen, Lok Heng, Irfan (libero), Zhao Xiang and LYLC Tzi Wah. The players did not start on a good foot, as the score quickly became 6-2 to KR after a string of errors (i.e. service faults and receiving errors). The players eventually caught up and were tied at 13-13 with KR, as KR began to make a few more errors and our players (aka. Mark Shen and Lok Heng with their monster spikes) began to gain momentum. The players finished strong with a sick dive by Pei Jie coupled with a good spike by Tzi Wah, and with a score of 25-19.
LYLC Tzi Wah stepped it up throughout the night and came up with good spikes when needed!
EH 1:0 KR
Second set
Mark Shen kicked off the first set with a beastly spike. The players were doing well and leading with a score of 14-10. Zhe Wei was seen giving no mercy by blocking every ball the opponent hit over, winning us a few points. However, the match reached an unfortunate turning point (for KR) when the score reached 16-14 to Eusoff. KR managed to score consecutive points, resulting in the score becoming 20-17 to KR. The players tried their extreme best to get back in lead, as LYLC Tzi Wah and Irfan dived to save the ball, but to no avail. The set was eventually won by KR with a very close score of 25-23 as our players failed to win against the “great wall of KR” for a few points.
EH 1:1 KR
Third set
The first point was already an intense rally, showing everyone the impeccable skills and willpower that our players had. KR was in the lead again, with a score of 3-4 to KR. A thunder spike by Zhe Wei and a good call by York Tat on an out ball helped the team catch up, with the score becoming 6-7 to KR. Impressive plays by KR widened the score margin, and the score became 9-14 to KR at one point. After many crazy long rallies, and a few out balls by KR, KR still managed to win Eusoff with a score of 25-17.
EH 1:2 KR
Fourth set
With the opponents leading overall 2-1, our players knew they had to get their head in the game and focus all energy on turning things around. And that is what they exactly did in the fourth set! Two service aces by Pei Jie and one spike each from Lok Heng and Mark Shen put Eusoff in the lead by 4 points. (4-0 to Eusoff) Our players had no room for mistakes and put up impenetrable defence. The score was 13-2 at one point, sending the crowd into an uproar every time they scored. KR proved to not be an easily defeated opponent as they regained composure and made a few good shots, bringing the score to 20-12. However, for all remaining five points that Eusoff scored, our players only allowed KR to score 2, so we won 25-14! The players (and supporters) were ecstatic to have tied overall, as they were still in the running for a place in the finals!
Captain Zhao Xiang was crazy clutch in the match, with stuff blocks and wicked serves that caused trouble for KR.
EH 2:2 KR
Fifth set
The decider set was as nerve-wrecking for the players as it was for the supporters. (but it only showed on the faces of the supporters!) In volleyball rules, the fifth set is only to be played to 15 points, so the set was a definite QUICK make or break for the boys. And they delivered! They were in their top form and remained unfazed when the score was tied at 4-4. They widened the gap to 10-4, with players perfectly setting the ball for Mark Shen to spike! Great service by captain Zhao Xiang caused the KR players to fail to return the ball, winning us more points. When the score reached 14-5, the supporters were thrilled at the prospect of the team being a point away from getting into finals! Eusoff managed to DEFEND the powerful spike by KR and the match was won by our team! The cheers were incredibly loud and everybody was very very very proud. The final score for the fifth set was 15-5.
Final score: EH 3:2 KR
Congratulations to our Eusoff male volleyball team made it into the finals! This IHG season has been nothing but AMAZING as we get to watch our volleyballers increasingly exceed their potential every time they set foot on court. It has been a pleasure to watch them play so well on court, and fight so hard for Eusoff no matter the circumstance. Let’s go Eusoff volleyball!
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