VOLLEYBALL

National ‘C’ Division Boys 3rd/4th Placing
Catholic High School vs Dunman Secondary School
Wednesday, April 11, 2007, at Toa Payoh Sports Hall

The following match report have been kindly contributed by Ms Zenia Zheng. Thanks much, Zenia!


Catholic High’s no. 8 goes for a spike. Picture taken from a game in an earlier round. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

“My team goal is to win this match in glory and my personal goal is not be nervous and be confident.” 

That was what Benny Lam (No 11) said to his teacher-in-charge during a team talk before the match against Dunman Secondary.

Overall, during the team talk before the match, the team felt that they did not defeat Dunman Secondary in the quarter finals due to nervousness and not having confidence in their own skills and team play. However, after the team talk, each player verbally declared to win the match with much confidence than the previous match they had with Dunman.

In the first match, the boys walked into the court with much confidence and poise. Catholic High scored the first goal against Dunman and one could see a different team persona of the Catholic High Volleyball team as compared to the one that played against Dunman in the quarter finals. However, Dunman did not give Catholic High an easy fight, the boys from Dunman High had a few good blocks against Catholic High and scored a few easy spikes down the Catholic High’s court. The pressure was on Dunman to uphold the status of beating us in the quarter finals while the Catholic High boys just played their game, defending and creating chances within the team to score against Dunman. After the 17th minute, Catholic High won the set with the score of 25-23.

With Catholic High taking down the first set, the confidence in the boys was brimming. They were told to maintain their play, to play at a comfortable pace and not be swayed by the opponents’ fast rhythm of play. Catholic High whizzed through the second set and at a point of time, the score was 19-7 in favour of Catholic High. However, there were some mistakes committed repeatedly by the Catholic High team. Some players could not deliver their intended spikes and were caught in a few fouls of holding the ball while setting the ball. The hunger of Dunman for winning the second set grew even more with the repeated mistakes committed by their opponents. Eventually, the score came to a tie of 19-19. Catholic High broke through and scored with 23-20 but their nemesis- nervousness began taunt the boys and the score tied at 23-23. Eventually, Dunman won the set 26-24.


Dunman boys waiting for the opponent’s attack.  Picture taken from a game in an earlier round. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

On the third set, it seemed that the confidence of the Catholic High boys is waning but with the head, assistant coaches and the teachers-in-charge raring the boys to go for the third set, the Catholic High boys stepped into court with a clean slate and determined to take the set. With two players changed on court, the dynamics of the Catholic team begin to change with the boys having the confidence they had in the first set. The Catholic High team began to lead the game with a few ties in scores in the midst. The Catholic High boys learnt the mistakes from the previous set fast and a few spikes that earned Dunman the second set were nicely blocked or saved by the boys. The Catholic High boys convincingly took the third set at a score of 25-20.

The fourth set was a deciding factor for both teams. It was a last chance for Dunman Sec to catch up and also a chance for Catholic High to seal the win. Both teams were determined in beating each other to win the fourth set. The supporters from both sides were cheering loudly for their teams. The Dunman supporters were very loud and at every service that Catholic High was taking, they would cheer loudly in bid to distract the players. However, the Catholic High boys were focused and were able to block out the loud cheers mentally and concentrated in delivering their services properly. Both sides did not let the other team have an easy time. Both sides were fighting for every ball and creating as many chances to score at the opponents’ territory.

Nevertheless, Catholic High had the upper hand and was able to gain more points with their attacks and had been leading all the way in the fourth set. The score came to 24-20 and with a last point, Catholic High would win the set and the whole match. But the last point did not come easy, Dunman fought back with a splendid spike and a tip off to gain two more points for their side. The assistant coach for Catholic High called a time out and calmed the boys down. He told the boys to concentrate on the game and not be concerned about the score board but to concentrate, focus and play their game calmly.

Both teams went on court, with Dunman serving. The service was received by the Catholic High boys, the ball was set and up jumps Matthew (No 12) to spike the ball, his spike went over, was caught by a Dunman player but his team mate could not continue to maintain the ball in the possession. The ball drops near the net, “Pheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!” the referee points down to Dunman High’s court, it was an in ball. The players of Catholic High punched their hands in the air in triumph, jumping in joy and cheers were heard.

Indeed, this whole journey for the Catholic High Volleyball boys was not an easy one. Each player have indeed matured and learnt how to play competitively under pressure and stress. Congratulations to them and may they continue to improve and push themselves harder for the next season of the Schools’ Volleyball tournaments.