B Div Vball (Girls): Presbyterian High beat Anderson to win championship title

Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Tuesday, April 3, 2012 — Presbyterian High beat Anderson Secondary 3-1 (25-20, 15-25, 25-16, 25-22) at the National B Division Girls’ Volleyball Championship final to take home their first championship title since 2008. Anderson, who were making their first ever appearance in the final, were left waiting for another chance as they could not overcome Presbyterian High in this year’s encounter.

Presbyterian High finished the match with 57 points scored from 53 kills, three blocks and one service ace. Anderson scored 45 points from 35 kills, six blocks and four service aces. Le Jie (Presbyterian High #18) and Amanda (Presbyterian High #11) finished the match as joint top scorers with 22 points scored each. Le Jie (Presbyterian High #18) scored 22 points from 22 kills while Amanda scored 18 kills, three blocks and one service ace. Jolly (Anderson #4) was second in line with 21 points scored from 15 kills and six blocks.

Presbyterian High began with a good start as they broke free from an initial stalemate to lead 10-6, prompting a timeout from Anderson. Despite Anderson’s efforts, they could not stop Presbyterian High from pulling ahead to lead 16-8.

Presbyterian High were well settled in and had scored 15 kills in the first set alone while Anderson managed seven kills. Anderson managed to narrow the score gap to trail 21-18 but were unable to close in. Presbyterian High sealed the set 25-20 after Michelle (Presbyterian High #14) sent her spike into an empty corner.

The second set was a different situation as Anderson pulled ahead to take the lead. Spiking errors by Amanda (Presbyterian High #11) early in the set eventually saw Anderson lead 12-8. A timeout by Presbyterian High at this point could not reverse Presbyterian High’s fortunes as errors continued to plague their play. They were soon staring at a seven-point deficit at 20-13.

Presbyterian High were unable to stop Anderson’s scoring streak, and were trailing 23-14 after a miscommunication between two players saw nobody get to Anderson’s serve. Despite an error by Anderson in the next rally, two consecutive spiking errors by Presbyterian High gave Anderson the set 25-15.

It was a close start to the third set as both teams were neck and neck. Anderson called a timeout at the 8-7 mark in an attempt to break free from the stalemate but saw the score tied point for point after that. After the 9-9 mark, Presbyterian High gradually pulled away to lead 17-13. Le Jie (Presbyterian High #18) was fronting the attacks for Presbyterian High, spiking many times from the outside. She scored seven kills and took the final two points after first forcing a touch out from Anderson before spiking an unreturnable shot.

Anderson gave it their all in the fourth set and led 6-3 at the start. However, fatigue seemed to be setting in as a drop in form allowed Presbyterian High to level 6-6- and pull ahead to lead 11-8.

Denise (Anderson #7) stepped up and brought the team back as she subsequently leveled the score 12-12. The score continued to be tied point for point till the 17-17 mark when Presbyterian High managed to break free to lead 19-17. A timeout by Anderson could not break Presbyterian High’s momentum as Jemima (Presbyterian High #16) took the next point with a spike.

Presbyterian High continued ahead and were leading 22-17 before Anderson called for another timeout. Upon the restart, an intense rally ensued before Jemima (Presbyterian High #16) took the point when she spiked off the Anderson block. Presbyterian High were then given match point with a seven-point advantage when Lee Ting (Anderson #1) spiked into the net.

Anderson refused to give up and fought hard to keep Presbyterian High at bay. They scored the next two points to force Presbyterian High to call a timeout. Presbyterian High continued to be unable to secure the last point as Anderson saved three more match points.

In the final rally, Le Jie (Presbyterian High #18) spiked from the outside which went straight at an Anderson player. However, she was unable to receive properly and Presbyterian High subsequently took the last point to win 25-22.

Final score
Presbyterian High 3 Anderson 1
25-20, 15-25, 25-16, 25-22

Presbyterian High Team Lineup:
Mar Hui Min (#5), Vanessa Kow Wei Fang (#6), Sia Jing Yi (#7), Sia Zhi Yun (#8), Lam Ju Hui (#9), Tan Jia Qian Amanda (#11), Germaine Ong Shi Ting (#12, Libero), Wong Fang Ting (#13), Gooi Luo Han Michelle (#14), Tan Peng Ling (#15), Jemima Koh Jia En (#16), Pua Le Jie (#18, Captain)

Anderson Team Lineup:
Ong Lee Ting (#1), Juniper Thang Wenbin (#2), Han Herh Rong Vanessa (#6), Chan Zhen Jolly (#4), Hiew Yong Qi (#5), Lee Xiang Qi Denise (#7), Sim Gek Theng Danielle (#8), Tay Wei Ling Theresa (#12), Cheryl Bok (#6), Chong Jemin Eunice (#14), Lim Yun Jing Cally (#16), Chai Xue Ying (#18)

For more photos, go to the next page.