4 months ago
15
ADVERTISE HERE
Sarawak women volleyball players in action during the match against Pahang today.
SIBU (Aug 20): Sarawak’s women’s volleyball team secured a hard-fought victory over Pahang at the Sibu Indoor Volleyball Stadium today, sweeping the match 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-14) to earn a place in the semi-finals of the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma).
With the victory, Sarawak collected six points after they had earlier beaten Terengganu 3-0 but lost to Selangor 0-3 in their Group Y matches.
Sarawak qualified for the semi-final by virtue of countback after Pahang, which also collected six points, beat Terengganu 3-0 but edged Selangor on a 3-2 aggregate while Sarawak won their two matches with a 3-0 aggregate.
Defending champion Selangor, with eight points, topped their group.
“It was a close call and we were happy to qualify for the semi-final,” Sarawak Sukma volleyball officer Lau Sie Long said.
Against Pahang, Lau said Sarawak players were playing very well with lot of brilliant blocks and smashes that were unanswered by the Pahang team.
“We need such kind of strength and power and hopefully, the girls will continue to showcase their skills as the show goes on,” he added.
Sarawak women will take on the winner of their Group X in the semi-finals at 12.30pm tomorrow.
The men had earlier topped Group A with nine points and will take on the Group B second-best in the semi-finals at 5.30pm tomorrow.
Going into their final group match against Pahang today, Sarawak knew it was a do-or-die mission. They needed to beat Pahang 3-0 in this crucial match to be assured of the semi-final ticket, and anything less than that could spell trouble.
Sarawak, marshalled by Britney Tie, who is making her final Sukma appearance, surged into an early lead.
Buoyed on by the supporters, Sarawak raced ahead to widen the scoreline to 15-7 and 20-14 before wrapping up the first set at 25-15.
Sarawak returned for the second set with more firepower and urgency and led all the way from the start to finish.
In the third set, Pahang dug deep and fought for a comeback but Sarawak showed no mercy and continued to pound them with relentless smashes.
The supporters erupted in jubilation after Sarawak did not disappoint and took the match.
English (US) ·