Presbyterian High (Red) overcome Ngee Ann Secondary 3-0 to win U-16 volleyball championship

By Lai Jun Wei.

Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall, Sunday, 16 November, 2008 – Presbyterian High (Red) beat Ngee Ann Secondary 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-20) to win the 2008 National U-16 Girls Junior Volleyball Championship. Having won last year’s U-16 Championship and this year’s B Division Championship, they are hot favourites to be next year’s B Division champions.

Ngee Ann had to face Group Y leaders Jurong Secondary in one semi-final after a contentious loss in their final match in Round 2 but they managed to overcome Jurong to set up a showdown with Presbyterian High (PHS) in the final.

Ngee Ann took the first point with a spike from down the centre which PHS #6 was unable to receive. But Ngee Ann seemed to have some trouble with their defense as the strong attacks from PHS saw the latter build up a large lead.

Ngee Ann fought hard and soon caught up via some good serves and spikes to tie at 14-14. This led PHS to call for a timeout.

PHS eventually had a slender lead over Ngee Ann at 19-16, a signficant advantage considering how evenly matched the two teams were. PHS were soon at set point with Ngee Ann trailing by seven points.

However, a net touch by PHS made it 24-18 and Ngee Ann put up some resistance to deny PHS a quick win. Ngee Ann were soon just one point away at 23-24 when Lyvia (Ngee Ann, #10) successfully blocked a spike by PHS #6.

But it was not to be as the PHS setter Cassandra (#7) dunked a drop shot which rolled off Lyvia’s (Ngee Ann, #10) hands, finally winning the set for PHS at 25-23.

In the second set, Ngee Ann stormed off to an early 5-0 lead, leading to a PHS timeout.

PHS quickly closed the gap and both teams were neck and neck till 15-15. Good spiking from the PHS side saw them at set point, 24-22.

Weiling (PHS, #1) took home the last point when Lyvia (Ngee Ann, #10) hit her serve into the net.

With two sets in the bag, PHS clearly wanted the win quick as they quickly established a 7-1 lead. Ngee Ann tried to catch up, but PHS managed to hold them off to lead comfortably at 13-8.

But perseverance from Ngee Ann saw them tie with PHS at the 19-19 mark.

However, it was just not Ngee Ann’s day as PHS surged forward to clinch the final six points. The last point was won when Weiling (PHS, #1) executed a drop shot from the outside, just over the blocker and into the front of Ngee Ann’s court.

Final score: 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-20)

Editor’s note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates in any of the photos, please feel free to leave the names behind in the comments section and we will update the captions accordingly. Thanks!