VOLLEYBALL

National ‘A’ Division Girls Semifinal
Hwa Chong Institution vs Nanyang Junior College
Friday, 11 May 2007 at CCAB

Comment and analysis of the Final by Mr Joseph Chin. Thanks, Joseph!
Pictures by Mr Wan Zhong Wei of Hwa Chong Institution. Thanks, Zhong Wei!

Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) overcame Nanyang Junior College 3-1 in their semifinal match yesterday at CCAB. They will now face Anderson Junior College (AJC) next Wednesday, 16 May 2007, 2 pm, at Toa Payoh Sports Hall for the championship decider. As we count down the five days leading up to the big match, stay tuned for the match report on match day itself. Meanwhile here’s a comprehensive analysis on how the Final will shape up.

HCI are a very strong and fit team, as seen in their unbeaten run up to the final. AJC are brimming full of confidence after their 3-0 thrashing of Victoria JC, and are eager to avenge their first round defeat against HCI. Intimidating supporters aside, AJC hold a slight upper hand as they benefit from a strong balanced squad and clever rotation of players – the exact opposite of HCI who seem to use the same 8 players every time. AJCwill have to be careful with the deadly fast high balls that HCI likes to pump down, just as HCI might have to defend against the AJC captain’s ball slamming. It’s going to be a tense match and while I would root for an AJC win in my heart, HCI seems hard to catch at this level with more Combined Schools players (unless they succumb to an ego problem).

HCI’s Kai Lin (#3) goes up against a Nanyang block by #15 Xinmin. © Wan Zhong Wei

The umpire keeps a watchful eye as a Nanyang player hammers across a spike against HCI. © Wan Zhong Wei

A Nanyang player tries to block a spike by Kai Lin of HCI. © Wan Zhong Wei

Xinmin of NYJC (in black) tries to block a spike from HCI’s Kai Lin. HCI beat Nanyang 3-1 to advance to the Final. © Wan Zhong Wei

Editor’s note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates, please let us know your names and we’ll update the captions. Thanks.