VOLLEYBALL

National ‘A’ Division Girls First Round
Jurong Junior College vs Nanyang Junior College
Tuesday, 24 April, 2007, at CCAB
Story by Lee Hwee Cheng. © Red Sports/soulbreath pictures

The pictures in this report have been very kindly taken and contributed by Lai Jun Wei, a student from Innova Junior College and a very helpful volunteer with Red Sports.  Big thanks, Jun Wei!


NYJC’s no.11 Grace (in black) terrorizes JJC as she sends a spike over a defender. © Lai JunWei

The Red Sports Crew took some time off amidst the lower divisions’ finals that were all happening in the week to check out some ‘A’ Division Girls volleyball first-round games at CCAB on Tuesday.  We caught an exciting game between Jurong Junior College and Nanyang Junior College.

JJC had won the first right to serve in the first set, but immediately lost it when the first-service player no.8 sent the ball into the net.  NYJC, with the menacing spikes of no.1 and 3, quickly cruised to a 9-4 lead.   NYJC’s defence turned counter-attack when they managed even to block off JJC’s returns and extend the lead to 13-7.  However, one of NYJC’s tendencies was to slip into a momentary lapse of control and an ensuing spate of errors.  It was also an additional boost for JJC that they have one of the most optimistic, cheerful and encouraging coach we have ever seen in school sports.  It was at this point that NYJC slipped up a little, and JJC narrowed the gap to 11-14.


NYJC’s Lynette Lee (no.8) makes an attack. © Lai JunWei

NYJC, sensing a potentially dangerous change of winds, called for a time-out that woke up the girls of NYJC and broke the momentum of JJC.  NYJC’s no.3 came back to the court with her sharp spikes again, and an ace served by teammate no.9 helped her team pull away to a 20-12 lead.  Then, surprisingly, JJC bounced back again with an unexpected spike that caught NYJC off-guard.  That one point led to a few more consecutive ones, and suddenly, JJC closed the gap to four points, trailing only 16-20.  Again, JJC’s cheerful coach continued his court-side manner of light-hearted teasing when his players’ misplayed the ball while always giving constant encouragement.  It was real good to see that the JJC girls, under such patient and encouraging coaching, never once looked demoralized or dispirited on-court.

Still, NYJC’s powerful spikes continued to dominate the weaker JJC team, and despite JJC’s mounting efforts in receiving NYJC’s attacks and making counter-attacks of their own, NYJC’s Ferlyn Tan (no.1) powered up her game and at some points showed her quickness in thinking, and not just pure physical power, with some clever placements of the spikes.  NYJC went on to win the first set 25-19.


JJC’s no.8 sends a spike towards NYJC © Lai JunWei

Confidence looking a little more boosted, courage a little more unleashed, JJC started the second set with an early, though marginal, lead at 2-1.  They begun also to put up a stronger defence against NYJC’s attacks.  But trouble brewed when NYJC’s spikers found their aggressive form again and quickly pulled away to a 9-4 lead.  JJC called for a time-out at this point and came back with an astounding chase to trail only by one point at 8-9.  As if they needed some prodding again to regain their composure, NYJC started on their attacking and defensive mode again, and pulled ahead quickly to a 14-8 lead.

In the next few minutes that followed, NYJC slipped back into an error-filled  run allowing JJC to capitalize on the mistakes.  Still, NYJC moved into a 17-11 lead.  But the girls from NY fell into their "sleep" mode again and with a few unforced errors and a few counter-attacks from the hyped-up opponents, they ran into danger zone with JJC closing in at 18-17.  Waking up again, the NY spikers found their groove, and went on to lead 23-17 and eventually win the game 25-18.


NYJC’s Ferlyn Tan (no.1) jumps for a spike as JJC’s no.18 anticipates to block. © Lai JunWei


JJC’s Yeo Ching Lee prepares for a return. © Lai JunWei

In the next game, VJC showed they are another strong contender in the tournament when they beat YJC in two quick sets (25-5, 25-12).

VJC, with a few strong spikers in no.6 and 8, went into an early 8-1 lead in the first set.  YJC gained a few points through a couple of unreturned spikes – and some VJC errors – and could manage to chase up only to 5-16.  From there on, VJC stepped into high gear and with some powerful attacks from no.8, went on to finish the set 25-5.


YJC’s player receives an opponent’s attack. © Lai JunWei

In the second set, YJC returned with a better defence and more daring attacks, while VJC continued with their composed performance. However, they looked a little nervous when they got caught off-guard by YJC’s sudden attacks.  VJC got out to an early 5-1 lead with some help from spikers no.6 and 11, then made a couple of errors to allow YJC to gain a couple of points.  YJC’s no.10 put in some good attacks in this set to bring the score to 7-13 but that was the closest they could bring the gap to.  VJC’s no.8 and 11 went on to help their team seal the victory with their relentless attacks and the game ended 25-12 in the second set.


VJC’s no.18 Xian Li Mei sends a spike towards the opponents. © Lai JunWei

In the other games, Anderson Junior College beat Anglo-Chinese Junior College 2-0 (25-13, 25-16), while Innova Junior College beat Raffles Junior College 2-0 (25-11, 25-16).  Millenia Institute fell behind early but overcame their slow start to eventually beat Pioneer Junior College 2-1 in an exciting game. MI fell 17-25 in the first set but went on to win the next two sets in tie-breakers (28-26, 27-25).  Defending champs Hwa Chong institution went on a rampage to beat Serangoon JC 2-0 (25-1, 25-4).

The HCI girls, looking all tall and strong, easily looked like they had the best composure on-court, and an air of confidence none others could boast of.  Captain Chai Kai Lin said they had already beaten ACJC 2-0 in an earlier game and were aiming for another championship this year.  When asked who their contenders might be this season, she pointed out AJC, NYJC and VJC, all of whom had also won their games today.


HCI’s Zoe Seet makes an attack. © Lai JunWei


HCI’s player spikes again. © Lai JunWei

Editor: If you do recognize yourself or your friends in these pictures, let us know and we’ll update the captions!