MJC put IJC out in 1st round after 2-0 win

VOLLEYBALL

National ‘A’ Division Boys’ First Round
Innova Junior College vs Meridian Junior College
Monday, 23 April 2007 at CCAB

The following report and pictures have been very kindly written and contributed by Lai Jun Wei, a student from Innova Junior College. Big big thanks again, Jun Wei!

MJC’s no.12 sends the spike over IJC’s Desmond (no.17) and Bentink (no.5). © Lai Jun Wei

The thunderous sounds of hands coming into contact with the ball and the loud cheers of boys from both teams filled the hall throughout almost the entire duration of the game. Players from Innova JC and Meridian JC played a first-round match of the National ‘A’ Division tournament on Monday.

Both teams were on a par in terms of skill. As the game progressed, both teams matched each other point for point The boys from both teams attacked and defended with all their might, spike after spike, block after block, each determined to score a much needed point for their team.

MJC’s no.1 does a jump set for teammate no.5 to attack, while IJC’s Boon Keat (no.8) prepares to block. © Lai Jun Wei

IJC’s Ragesh (no.11) sends an attack over the MJC block. © Lai Jun Wei

The first set ended in favour of MJC but only marginally. The second set started with the possibility of the game going either way. With the pressure mounting, the MJC players started finding ways to break through the IJC defence and soon the game ended as MJC clinched the final victory.

IJC vice-captain Lu Boon Keat struggled in pain throughout the entire game after he pulled his muscle in the first set. When interviewed after the game, he commented in Mandarin, "I didn’t have any strength [to play] today. I pulled my arm [muscle] during the first set." Clearly, this was observed as Boon Keat’s spikes were somehow lacking in power as compared to his usual form.

IJC is now out of contention for the ‘A’ Division championship but the players’ fighting spirit is to be commended. Unfortunately, Lady Luck was just not on the Innova side.