By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.

ajc vs mjc volleyball

Serene Loh (MJC #2) spikes towards AJC’s two-man block. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

CCAB, Tuesday, May 5, 2009 – Anderson Junior College swept aside Meridian Junior College 2-0 (25-17, 25-14) in a Round 2 match of the A Division girls Volleyball Championship.

AJC started off well, taking a 4-0 lead through a strong offense. A serve that went out of bounds by AJC #3 temporarily ended their scoring streak, but using AJC’s centre spiker as a decoy, AJC #1 spiked down the line from the outside to take back service.

AJC clearly seemed like the stronger of the two during their warm up session, but they somehow found difficulty in settling in as they
allowed MJC to climb back, closing the score to 9-8. But strong serves from AJC #4 soon saw the team taking points again.

A time out by MJC at 15-9 was not enough, as AJC continued their rampage. AJC’s steady serves and powerful spikes were too strong for MJC to make anything out of it. Countless free balls were sent back as a substantial attack could not be organised. AJC grabbed their chances and hammered the ball back.

At 21-11, MJC called for a time out in a bid to break AJC’s momentum. Miraculously, MJC started to climb back bit by bit as AJC started gifting many points away through several unforced errors.

AJC’s early lead however gave them a huge advantage, as they could still close in on winning the set despite MJC’s comeback.

At 23-16, AJC #6’s spike from the outside was well taken, but she had a bad landing and crossed the centre line, committing a line fault. AJC’s spikes proved to be their forte again as a spike from AJC #3 from the outside forced MJC to receive a ball into the net.

AJC #4 took home the set with a float serve that MJC deflected out.

Not going to go down without a fight, MJC began forcing AJC to make mistakes in the second set. AJC did not seem to be their usual self as they were sending many of their balls out of bounds.

With the score at 6-6, MJC seemed to have found their footing, rallying with AJC till the 13-13 mark when they spiked out of bounds.

A miscommunication between MJC #3 and #10 saw them unable to receive AJC #12’s serve. With a two point lead, AJC stormed ahead. AJC #1 took several points with her powerful spike, but on all previous occasions during the game, she had stumbled on her serve, either sending them out of bounds or into the net.

On her turn to serve at 18-13, she was substituted down for AJC #15 to serve in her place instead.

As a growing sign of confidence, AJC #1 was left on the bench, as the team surged ahead to 23-14. Despite many unforced errors by AJC and a time out by MJC, it was not sufficient as they scored point after point with ease.

AJC #18 brought her team to match point when her serve clipped the net and rolled into MJC’s court, catching everyone off guard. The game ended when AJC #18’s serve was picked up and organised only to have MJC #3 unfortunately spike it into the net.

Final score: 2-0 (25-17, 25-14)

ajc vs mjc volleyball

Serene (MJC #2) spikes away from AJC #12. (Photo 2 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

ajc vs mjc volleyball

Cuishan (MJC #8) and AJC #6 go for a mid-air challenge for the ball. (Photo 3 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

ajc vs mjc volleyball

AJC’s setter #18 sets to a team mate. (Photo 4 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

ajc vs mjc volleyball

A MJC player shows frustration as she fails to receive a shot. (Photo 5 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

ajc vs mjc volleyball

AJC #18 moves into position to bump a ball up. (Photo 6 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

ajc vs mjc volleyball

Serene (MJC #2) executes a drop shot past the AJC blocker. (Photo 7 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

ajc vs mjc volleyball

Serene (MJC #2) spikes towards the AJC blocker. (Photo 8 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

ajc vs mjc volleyball

AJC #3 sends the ball over the MJC blocker. (Photo 9 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

ajc vs mjc volleyball

AJC #10 tries to get past the MJC blocker. (Photo 10 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

ajc vs mjc volleyball

AJC #6 spikes past the MJC blocker. (Photo 11 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

ajc vs mjc volleyball

Cuishan (MJC #8) bumps a ball upwards. (Photo 12 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

ajc vs mjc volleyball

AJC #1 stuffs out a loose ball. (Photo 13 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

ajc vs mjc volleyball

Serene (MJC #2) spikes over AJC #12 and #1. (Photo 14 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

ajc vs mjc volleyball

AJC #1 spikes past the MJC blocker. (Photo 15 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

ajc vs mjc volleyball

AJC #6 stands ready while her team mate serves. (Photo 16 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

ajc vs mjc volleyball

AJC #6 drops a shot past the MJC blocker. (Photo 17 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

ajc vs mjc volleyball

Agony as the MJC side fails to rescue a stray shot. (Photo 18 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

Editor’s note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates in any of the photos, please feel free to leave the names in the comments section and we will update accordingly.