VOLLEYBALL

National ‘B’ Division Girls Final
Jurong Secondary vs Sembawang Secondary
Thursday, April 12, 2007, at Toa Payoh Sports Hall

Story by Coach Dick Yip.

These pictures have been contributed by our volunteer photographer, Goh Shao Wei.  Thanks much, Shao Wei!

Sembawang’s Michelle Tan (no.2) sends a spike into Jurong’s Junice Chong’s (no.4) block.  © Goh Shao Wei.

Jurong Secondary (JSS), a traditional volleyball powerhouse from the west met with the new kids on the block Sembawang Secondary (SMB) ,coming all the way from the heartlands of the north, in this mouth-watering encounter for the National ‘B’ Division Girls’ title. While JSS have, over the previous two dacades, proven their pedigree and reached the pinnacle several times, SMB have yet to savour the sweetness and meaning of what it feels like to be the National champions. As both teams began their warm-up preparations outside the corridors of the hall, I observed a stark contrast in approach by the respective coaches. JSS’s coach, who has been with them a decade, was his usual self – professional, serious and perhaps a little tense. On the contrary, SMB’s coach was the total opposite. He was exceedingly relaxed to the point of disbelief, laughing and joking with his charges and all those around him, including myself. For many of us veteran coaches in different sporting disciplines, pre-match preparations and the accompanying hype are not something new or unheard of. But this was something unexpected. It may yet turn out to be a good learning point for coaches as you shall soon realise.

Jurong’s Junice Chong’s (no.4) powers a spike over to the opponents.  © Goh Shao Wei.

When the match began, no one could have guessed that it would turn into a 5-set ,nail-biting, no-holds-barred thriller that eventually confirmed that SMB, the new kids on the block, had finally arrived! The 1st set was all Jurong as their girls overcame their opening jitters after trailing 4-7 to take the lead 9-8. With the score at 11-8, a terrific, long rally ensued which ended with a well-placed spike for 12-8 to JSS. SMB called a timeout to change things around but JSS maintained the momentum in attack to lead 16-9. A combination of good play, especially effective net blocks and good service by SMB’s Koh Gui Xin (5), narrowed the score to 16-13. To break that swing in momentum, JSS called a timeout. SMB crept closer to 18-17. Regaining their earlier composure, JSS combined play superbly to close out the set at 25-18.

JSS jumped to a 6-3 lead in the opening minutes of the 2nd set  through the spiking errors from SMB mostly. With soothing tips from their bench, the SMB girls got  their act together and were a joy to watch as they rallied strongly to overtake their rivals in the scoring department. Michelle Tan (2) hit an angled spike and added another thunderbolt to level the score 6-6. She combined very effectively with Eva Tan (3) who was outstanding in this set, serving several pin-point aces, delivering killer spikes and some soft, gentle drops. Their better teamwork and ability to cover for one another won them the set  at 25-19. Score 1-1.

 

Sembawang’s Michelle Tan (no.2) attacks again.  © Goh Shao Wei.

Nothing separated the 2 sides in the battle for the 3rd set. They went neck and neck and point for point, with superb attacking and defensive plays and some unbelievable retrievals that really wowed the crowd. It was 16-16. A lethal spike by JSS’s Junice (4) made it 18-17. An ace served by YC Chiang (6) and JSS led 19-17. Another spike by Junice made it 20-17.Then a couple of self-inflicted errors allowed SMB to level the score 20-20. The crowd could feel the increasing tension as SMB took the lead at 21-20 with another missed dig from JSS, who promptly called for a timeout to calm the players’ nerves. It was just as well that they did. With SMB serving, the ball was set nicely for the kill-off at the net for JSS to level it 21-21. A terrific serve by Ang Jia Lin (2) made it 22-21 for JSS. Junice again followed that up with a spike that earned them a 23-21 score. Another impressive, accurate serve by Jia Lin gave them set point 24-21. SMB fought back, spiking hard and they narrowed the score to 24-23.  SMB served at 23-24. The ball sailed over dangerously. JSS managed to dig and set up perfectly for Junice to hammer a tremendous spike through the flailing arms of the SMB defenders. JSS had taken the set by the thin margin of 25-23. Score 2-1 and the advantage had swung to JSS, at least for the moment.

Jurong’s Chiang Ying Chen (no.6) attempts a spike over Sembawang’s Lynette Sim (no.12).  © Goh Shao Wei.

In the 4th set, the situations faced by both teams were so completely different. JSS had only to keep their cool, maintain their composure and make fewer errors and the crown would be theirs. For SMB, it was the typical kind of situation faced by countless other teams, in all sports, going into the 4th set and trailing 1-2. It was nothing less than a "do-or-die" mission again. The greater pressure would be on them. It would require a courageous display and a call for reservoirs of strength to be transformed into nerves of steel. Many an aspiring challenger had melted under the intense heat, in similar context, and  brought down to earth. Could they survive? Or would they, like so many losing finalists, eventually utter the ever familiar cliche, "So near, yet so far!"

Sembawang’s Lynette Sim (no.12) blocks an attack from Jurong’s Chiang Ying Chen (no.6).  © Goh Shao Wei.

SMB answered all these questions floating in everyone’s mind when they responded with a superlative performance in the 4th set which they led throughout, taking the set at 25-19. Their confidence and renewed spirit caused their rivals a lot of problems, leading to numerous unforced errors and much confusion in defence which proved costly for JSS. Trailing 4-9, JSS called for a timeout to turn things around. It did not happen. A 2nd timeout was effected with the score at 11-17 which improved the overall play slightly. But the crucial points were all won by SMB in the closing stages of the set. Score 2-2. 

The loud and deafening roars of support from both camps heightened the tension and atmosphere in the packed hall as the teams got ready for the 5th and final set. As I was seated with the VIPs, I asked Mr Baey Yam Keng, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC and President of the Volleyball Association of Singapore who was the Guest-of-Honour for the day, for his reflection of the match so far. He said it was "a terrific and thrilling game and I’m enjoying every minute of it throughly!" Next to G.O.H was the Schools’ volleyball adviser, Mr Tay Lay Hian, an ex-national player himself. I asked him who he thought would win. Pointing his finger at his temple he answered, "It’s all in the head now!" And next to me was the ever-supportive Principal of JSS herself, Ms Tham Yoke Chun, a nice, gentle lady who said, "The girls should have won it in the 4th set." Nevertheless, she cheered them on, "Go girls go!!" as the action resumed on court.

JSS drew 1st blood with a huge spike to take the point 1-0. They secured the 2nd point with a terrific serve by Jia Lin. 2-0. SMB claimed their 1st point with a nice set up for Heng Li Han (1) to hit a sharply angled spike. 2-1. A poor serve by SMB’s Gui Xin (5) made it 3-1. In their hurry, JSS hit a spike that was ruled out. 3-2. That was followed by another spike by Yi Hui (3) that too went out. 3-3. Then SMB’s no.11 finished off a rally to make it 4-3. JSS’s Michelle (12) with the ball served and it went out of court, 4-4. The action and errors were piling up, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats. SMB took over the lead with a soft spike as opposed to a hard one.This can, at times, spring a surprise, as they led 5-4. A huge miss by Yi Hui (3) who only needed to tap the ball over but did not, gave SMB a crucial 2-point lead. 6-4. Another critical error at the net by JSS and SMB led 7-4.

Jurong’s Jeanne Gwee (no.9) and teammate clash while trying to retrieve an attack.  © Goh Shao Wei.

An urgent timeout call by the worried JSS bench was called. On resumption, all was not going well for JSS as they committed another foul at the net (contact). SMB led 8-4. The two sides crossed the court for changeover of sides. The affable coach of SMB was loudly swaying and singing, "Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole!" and his supporters at the gallery responded heartily and enthusiastically to his charms. SMB served and it was retrieved and nicely set up for Ying Chen (6) who struck at the ball but missed it badly, making the score 9-4. Yi Hui (3) renewed the fight with a good spike for JSS, 5-9. And a very good serve by Jeanne Gwee (9) gave more hope. 6-9. Another missed dig by Ying Chen (6) made it 10-6 for SMB. That further increased to 11-6 from a Michelle Tan killer spike. Ying Chen redeemed herself with an excellent angled spike to narrow it to 7-11 for JSS.

Jurong’s Ang Qi Hui (no.3) makes an attack while teammate Yeo Ming Qi (no.11) looks on.  © Goh Shao Wei.

Over the years, I have seen the best players in the world make the most elementary errors when they succumb to nervousness. Steely fingers turn into buttery fingers and butterflies in the stomach wreak havoc on eye-hand coordination and the timing of blocks, spikes and jumps. So no one can blame Jurong

‘s Yi Hui (3) when her service went way past the backline to put SMB just 3 points from victory at 12-7. Another rally, another mis-timed touch and the ball went into the net for SMB to ominously lead 13-7. On the verge of victory, Michelle served and the ball was too long. 13-8. Perhaps, it was SMB’s turn for the "butterflies" to visit.  A very good spike followed and JSS supporters yelled. 13-9. The next rally had SMB hitting a hard spike which was well blocked by the JSS offensive front, making a comeback looking likely. Score was 10-13.

Jurong’s Jeanne Gwee (no.9) sets the ball up for her teammates.  © Goh Shao Wei.

No more "Ole! Ole! Ole!" by the SMB coach as he realised the gravity of the situation and quickly called for a timeout. He got his girls together, went into a huddle with them giving them a few gentle pats, still smiling. JSS girls also got into a huddle and simply roared out loudly. After the timeout, JSS’s Ying Chen was holding serve. Out went the ball from her striking palm and straight into the net! Her shoulders drooped in horror at the inexplicable, costly miss which brought the game to set- and match-point at 14-10 in SMB’s favour. SMB served for the match-point, JSS returned the ball, which was set up nicely but the spike went out. Score 11-14 for JSS. Service back to JSS’s Ang Jia Lin (2) who had impressed with her beautiful, top-spin serves throughout the play.

Jurong’s Ang Yi Hui (no.3) sends a high drop over Sembawang’s Lynette Sim (no.12).  © Goh Shao Wei.

Would we see another one? All her supporters must be wondering, hoping and praying for. Confidently, she stroked the ball, very flat, very powerful and accurate and it caused confusion at the opposite side as it spun out of touch on contact. The score was now 14-12. Timeout call! Anurgent signal by the SMB bench to perhaps alter the flow and momentum at that critical juncture. It worked in their favour as Jurong’s Jia Lin, with the score at 12-14, served for the last time, a tad too fast, a little too low and the ball shot straight into the net, bringing an abrupt end to this most unforgettable final and a fairy-tale ending for the new kids on the block, Sembawang Secondary with a score of 15-12.