Ngee Ann beat Jurong Secondary 3-2 to progress into U-16 girls volleyball final

Story by Eileen Tan. Photos by Claira Ng.

Hougang Sports hall, Thursday, 13 November, 2008 – Ngee Ann Secondary beat Jurong Secondary 3-2 (25-22, 17-25, 25-21, 11-25, 15-9) in the semi-final of the 2008 National U-16 Girls Junior Volleyball Championship.

As both teams were coached by the same person, they were left with their teacher in charge to supervise their performance.

Jurong won the first point when the Ngee Ann team committed a net touch. Ngee Ann, however took back service and jumped out to an early lead. Trailing by four points at 2-6, Jurong called for a timeout. However, Ngee Ann continued taking points upon resumption, with Phebe (Ngee Ann, #13) delivering a few good spikes.

But Jurong did not give up and Ngee Ann seemed to help Jurong's cause with errors of their own that allowed Jurong to tie it up at 15-15. A strong spike by Cynthia (Jurong, #12) was too hard for #13 of Ngee Ann to receive it. But that was a minor hiccup for Ngee Ann as they won the set 25-22 with a powerful spike.

Luck however was with Jurong during the second set when Ngee Ann subsequently committed several errors to allow Jurong to take a 6-1 lead. But Jurong squandered away their early lead by spiking out several balls to allow Ngee Ann to score several points. However, Jurong persisted right to the end, taking the set when Qiuyun (Jurong, #6) served a ball which Lyvia (Ngee Ann, #10) was unable to retrieve.

The start of the third set did not seem to favour Ngee Ann when Carolyn (Ngee Ann, #12) had two unsuccessful spikes. Phebe (Ngee Ann, #13) was once again called into action, scoring several points with her well-placed spikes. Ngee Ann slowly took back the lead with a service ace from Lyvia (#10). Jurong also contributed to Ngee Ann’s resurgence as they started to falter, committing several blunders.

Jurong was left to play catch up after a brief tie at 7-7. With Ngee Ann leading 20-18, Jurong called for their last timeout in hopes of changing the fate of the set. But it was not to be as Xue Er (Ngee Ann, #11) won the set with a service ace.

Trailing 1-2 and with the pressure building, Jurong were determined to win the fourth set in order to force the game into a rubber. The Jurong players looked a lot more stern, their faces showing concentration and determination. Ngee Ann on the other hand, tried to maintain their morale higher with cheers and smiles to lighten up the atmosphere.

Luck wasn't on Ngee Ann's side as they started with several blunders. A ‘double' by setter Xue Er (Ngee Ann, #11), spiking into the hands of Jurong's blocker and a serve into the net allowed Jurong to take an early lead. Jurong's confidence level were raised even higher after several successful spikes and they stormed ahead.

Though Ngee Ann stole a few points here and there, Jurong still led throughout the fourth set as they reduced their number mistakes in their attacks. Jurong continuously won several points effortlessly, leaving Ngee Ann to play second fiddle. They eventually built up an 11-point lead at 17-6.

Jurong's confidence was growing with every point scored. Trailing 9-22, Ngee Ann seemed a little disturbed at the huge gap. A miscommunication between Phebe (#13) and Xue Er (#11) left the ball untouched between them, giving Jurong another point.

Jurong finally won the fourth set 22-11 when Cheryl (Jurong, #11) blocked a spike from Fiona (Ngee Ann, #17), and the latter was not able to react in time to the rebound.

The atmosphere was tense as the game moved into the rubber set. This would determine who would get to fight Presbyterian High for the championship title on Sunday.

Carolyn (Ngee Ann, #12) grabbed the first two points, relieving her team's tension. Through good team work and almost flawless play, they managed to lead right up till 8-6 for the changeover.

On the other hand, Jurong's spiking was not helping them in winning any points. In fact, it became a hindrance as they started to falter. With Ngee Ann leading 11-6, Jurong's setter Krystal (#8) committed a ‘double' to allow Ngee Ann to pull away further.

Ngee Ann brought the set to match point when Lyvia (Ngee Ann, #10) successfully stuffed out Cynthia’s (Jurong, #12) spike. Ngee Ann then won the set and match when Carolyn (Ngee Ann, #12) spiked a ball directly into an unguarded space in Jurong's court. The Jurong libero made a last-ditch dive for the ball but to no avail.

Final score: 3-2 (25-22, 17-25, 25-21, 11-25, 15-9)

Ngee Ann will now progress into the final to face Presbyterian High on Sunday, 16 November at Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall. The match will be at 12.15pm.

Jurong Secondary will play Presbyterian High (Black) in the 3rd/4th placing match at Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall as well. The match will be held on the same day as the final at 10.30am.

Good luck to all!