SELANGOR: Sarawak’s women’s beach volleyball team is guaranteed its best-ever finish at the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) after reaching the semi-finals for the first time in the state’s history, moving within one win of securing a medal.
The historic breakthrough came after Sarawak A pair Stacy Usun Yesayah and Jacqueline Yek Yi Jun produced a commanding performance to defeat Sabah B’s Jarinah Jumaani and Cyla Dania 2-0 in Friday’s (Aug 14) quarter-final.
The Sarawak duo controlled the match from the outset, taking the opening set 21-13 before wrapping up victory in emphatic fashion with a 21-6 win in the second set.
Head coach, Lee Say Hou, described the achievement as a major milestone for the programme, having guided the women’s team through three SUKMA campaigns.
“I’m very happy because this is my third SUKMA with the Sarawak women’s beach volleyball team and the first time we’ve reached the semi-finals.
“This is also a historic achievement for Sarawak beach volleyball. Hopefully, we can continue making history,” he told the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS).
Lee praised Stacy and Jacqueline for producing one of their best performances to book Sarawak’s place among the tournament’s final four.
However, he stressed that the mission was far from over, with Sarawak A set to face Perak A later on Friday to determine the Group Y champions before turning their attention to the semi-finals.
“We hope to finish as Group Y champions before preparing for the semi-finals and, hopefully, the final tomorrow.
“Our target is to win a medal and, if possible, create more history by bringing home the gold,” he said.
Having already achieved the state’s best-ever SUKMA finish in the discipline, Sarawak will now look to carry that momentum into the knockout stage as they chase a historic first medal in women’s beach volleyball.
