VOLLEYBALL

National ‘A’ Division Boys Semifinal
Anderson Junior College vs Temasek Junior College
Friday, 11 May 2007 at CCAB

Match report by Mr Joseph Chin. Thanks Joseph!

"Put your hands in the air!" © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Defending champions Anderson Junior College (AJC) comprehensively defeated old rivals TJC 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-19) during the A Division semi-finals today to book a Final date with Nanyang Junior College (NYJC), who defeated Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) by the same scoreline.

As the vociferous AJC supporters kept streaming in by the dozen, it made for a highly charged atmosphere as AJC and TJC chased for the title. Little did the AJC supporters know that their team would endure a slow start when they trailed 11-18. The coach (a PE teacher in the school) wasn’t too happy with their lacklustre start and it took 2 time outs before AJC showed why they deserved to defend the title. While most teams would have given up, AJC were capitalising on the silly mistakes the TJC defence made before equalising at 20-20. By then the AJC boys never looked back as they managed to wrap up the set to the cheers of their large travelling support.

Full of confidence following the set, AJC had the game firmly in their grasp, and the tense start of the second set gave way to an astonishing AJC run as they ran away with a 20-13 lead, and they never looked back even as TJC attempted a spirited fightback to conclude at 25-20.

It was the same story in the last set, as AJC were on the verge of qualifying for the final at 18-12. Despite TJC capitalising on the slight complacency of the AJC players in celebratory mood, it was too tall a task for last year’s runners up as they finally fell 25-19. The final whistle brought massive celebrations among AJC supporters.

TJC will now meet HCI in the third/fourth placing match at CCAB next monday.

Preview of the AJC vs NYJC Final:

AJC has a tendency to lose to their eventual final opponents in the preliminary rounds, but this time NY should expect no favours from an AJC side who can give their opponents nightmares for days to come when at their very best. Having a very balanced side makes them quite a joy to watch. NYJC would also be looking to win the title with a very hardy squad, having fired on all cylinders in almost every game. Both teams rarely put a foot wrong, but AJC may have to cut down on their Rambo style antics (like catching up from 11-18) and their slow starts if they are to give NYJC a hard time.

That’s all folks…see you next wednesday!