Presbyterian High knock out Jurong to enter final

VOLLEYBALL

National Junior U-16 Girls Volleyball Championships 2007
Semi-finals
Presbyterian High vs Jurong Secondary
Saturday, 17th November 2007 at Hougang Sports Hall

Pictures by Lai Jun Wei and Red Sports reader Tiong Ting Shan.
Story by Red Sports volunteer Lai Jun Wei.

Presbyterian High School (PHS) extended their undefeated run to the final with a convincing 25-12, 25-18 win over Jurong Secondary (JSS) in their semi-final match during the U-16 Girls Volleyball Championship held recently.

Qihui (JSS, #9) spikes pass the PHS block. © Tiong Ting Shan

PHS showed their dominance with their strong serves and spikes as they pounded JSS continuously. The JSS girls put on a hard fight but it was not enough for them to take the set. PHS won 25-12.

JSS’s outside spiker Huiling (JSS, #13) spikes into the hands of the PHS block. © Lai Jun Wei

The second set saw JSS continue their fightback. With strong counter-attacks, they managed to level the score at 16-16. PHS however did not let JSS intimidate them as they spiked home to clinch another point. A return spike by the JSS #6 found its way into the net to see the score hit 18-16. A time out was then called by JSS coach. The next two points were also won by PHS. However, it was not without controversy. A light tap by JSS #14 was blocked by the PHS blocker. However, calls of a ‘net touch’ were made by the JSS girls as they believed the PHS blocker had touched the net in her block attempt. However, the referee chose to let it go and awarded the point to PHS. JSS did not let this dampen their spirits as they fought back. A drop shot by setter Krystal (#8) was successfully received by PHS. However, the PHS spiker hit the ball into the antenna to allow JSS to close the gap.

Qihui (JSS, #9) receives a spike. © Lai Jun Wei

A moment of fright occured during the second set when JSS centre spiker Qihui (#9) spiked a ball right into the head of a PHS player (if I’m not wrong it’s the PHS #3). The PHS player was knocked into a semi-conscious state and collapsed on the floor. An injury time out had to be called as her team mates carried her off the court.

PHS spiker #8 taps the ball over the JSS blocker. © Lai Jun Wei

Another timeout was called at the 22-17 mark after many JSS players had fallen to the well placed shots of PHS. However, PHS continued to pound JSS as they took home the second set 25-18 to win the match. Presbyterian High would eventually go on to win the final and the U-16 Championship title.

Junice (JSS, #4) tries to block a drop shot by PHS. © Tiong Ting Shan

JSS players on the floor after receiving a hard hit from PHS. © Tiong Ting Shan

Krystal (#8), the JSS setter #8 does a back set. © Tiong Ting Shan

More pictures in the gallery.

Editor's note: If you recognise yourself or your teammates, or if we've got the names wrong, let us know and we'll update the captions. Thanks.