Xinmin Sec beat Catholic High in tense volleyball quarterfinal match

VOLLEYBALL

C Division Schools National Championships
Xinmin Secondary vs Catholic High
Wednesday, 22 March 2007 at CCAB

Match Report by Mr Ian Chew of Catholic High. Pictures by Leslie Tan. © Red Sports/soulbreath pictures

In the end, the steadier nerves and experience of the Xinmin team prevailed as they beat Catholic High in a close C Division quarter-final match 25-23, 25-22 played in CCAB on Thrusday, 22nd March.

Coming into the match as champions of their respective zones, the match lived up to its top billing in a closely fought encounter. Both team traded points in a see saw match which never saw the gap between both teams extend more than 5 points throughout.

Yet Catholic High started the brighter of the two teams. It was neck and neck in the first set until Catholic High pulled ahead 17-14 with an excellent spike by captain Koh Zuo Quan. However, Xinmin were not to be outdone, clawing back to a 21-21 draw. Despite a timeout called by the Catholic High team at that point, they could not overcome the momentum of Xinmin Sec. Xinmin Sec went on to take the lead for the first time in the match and won the first game 25-23 with an emphatic spike.

Catholic High charged back in the second set, taking a 7-5 lead in determined fashion. Xinmin were not prepared to roll over, however, and went on to level the game at game at 7-7. The tension was mounting in both teams as uncharacteristic errors crept into even the play of reliable players. Every mistake made by the players was punished by the other team which gained a point in the process.

This pattern continued for the rest of the second set as both teams traded points and were never more than 2 points apart. Catholic High were jubilant when Benny Lam, their 1.8m tall key offensive player scored a key point with a spike for a 17-15 lead. Xinmin immediately replied through a spike by Shawn, their no. 18 key offensive player, making the score 16-17.

That proved to be the breakthrough for Xinmin Sec. They went on to take the next few points to take a 24-19 lead. A valiant comeback by Catholic High School proved to be in vain as Xinmin held on to win the set 25-22 and the match as well.

Afterward, a disappointed Koh Zuo Quan, captain of the Catholic High team said, “We were let down at the crucial moments by handling errors. This makes qualifying for the next round an uphill task. But I’m sure the team will bounce back after this match for the next game against Yishun Town. Credit to the Xinmin team for their fighting spirit in winning the match.”

Editor: If you recognise yourself in the pictures, please tell us your names. We’ll update the captions!

More action shots in the Picture Gallery.