Catholic High and Ang Mo Kio book their places in South Zone volleyball final

Contributed by reader Ian Chew

A timeout called by Catholic High in the first set while 15-17 down to Fairfield Methodist turned the game around for them. (Photo © Ian Chew)

CCAB, Tuesday, February 12, 2008 – Fairfield Methodist threatened an upset before going down 26-28, 18-25 to perennial rivals Catholic High School in a South Zone B Division Boys Volleyball Championship semi-final match played earlier today.

Fairfield Methodist led by 17-15 in the first set with some inspired play, forcing the Catholic High bench to call a hasty timeout.

The match continued to be close with each school trading leads and levelling the scores but Catholic High eventually prevailed and won the set 28-26.

The second set saw a tired-looking Fairfield Methodist team lose 10 straight points at one stage to trail 9-20. Qing Shan and Melvin Goh of Catholic High led the team's charge with some spectacular spikes. Despite a lapse in concentration by Catholic High late in the game, the defending South Zone champions still ran out 28-26, 25-18 winners.

Sher Zi Ao, a key member of the Catholic High team acknowledged that his team's play could be better.

"We were not used to playing at such a high level after having an easy first round group of matches. Maybe we should play better opposition in the earlier rounds to improve our skills!" he joked.

In the other semi-final, Ang Mo Kio beat Zhonghua 17-25, 25-21, 25-11 to secure their place in the final against Catholic High. The game will be played at Yio Chu Kang Sports Hall at 2:45 p.m., Monday, February 18.

The B Division Girls Championship Final will feature Cedar Girls and Yuying after both teams beat their respective opponents by similar 2-0 scorelines.

The powerful spikers of Fairfield Methodist. Jingjie (#2), Alvin (#15), Sze An (#10). (Photo © Ian Chew)

Fairfield players (in black) failed to stop Zuo Quan’s spike. (Photo © Ian Chew)