Story and photos by Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports
Sie Jie Xiang (NYJC #7) spikes the ball down hard for the kill. (Photo 1 © Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports)
PESEB, Tuesday, May 2, 2017 — Nanyang Junior College (NYJC) rallied after losing the first set to defeat Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) 3-1 in the National A Division Volleyball Championship.
With this win, NYJC are through to the final after narrowly missing their shot at the title last year. NYJC have a total of eight A division titles and look to take their ninth title against Hwa Chong Institution in the final.
On the other hand, ACJC will fight for third against Anderson Junior College.
Both sides were off to a good start. NYJC and ACJC took turns to score but it was ACJC who came out on top. Their dynamic duo Tan Le Ye (ACJC #1) and Belanger Luc (ACJC #7) rained down spikes after spikes to secure the first set with a score of 25-22.
However, NYJC regained their poise in the second set after Khalek Chong (NYJC #4) was inserted into the lineup. He had forgotten to bring his jersey and had to wear a make-shift jersey with his own number before he could play in the game. With him back, his teammates were able to compose themselves as NYJC started to make several kills off ACJC’s mistakes. They went on to take the next two sets with a score of 25-19 and 25-14.
Knowing the next set was one that had to be taken, ACJC played hard and were off to a good start in the fourth set. However, NYJC organized themselves after a time-out and came storming back. Sie Jie Xiang (NYJC #7) drove down several powerful spikes which led to block-outs or kills. This gave NYJC momentum as they caught up and took the lead.
While Tan Le Ye (ACJC #1) and Belanger Luc (ACJC #7) made several good defensive plays and kills to try to will ACJC to victory, their efforts fell short and NYJC took the last set 25-21.
NYJC captain, John Foo (NYJC #1), commented, “I am very thankful that we played well as a team today. We were more focused on individual performance previously but were able to display good team spirit and effort in both our offensive and defensive plays today. Looking toward to the final, let’s not forget to bring our jersey, jokes aside, but we have to work hard to get the title. A lot of us are graduating already, so lets give it all we have for our seniors, school and supporters. And I’d like to thank our coach and Mr Tam who helped us a lot throughout the season as well.”
Scoring by Set
NYJC vs ACJC
1st Set: 22-25
2nd Set: 25-19
3rd Set: 25-14
4th Set: 25-21
NYJC Roster
John Foo (#1), Keith Ong (#2), Joel Toh (#3), Khalek Chong (#4), Low Jin Keat (#5), Kesean Kwah (#6), Sie Jie Xiang (#7), Aazon Ang (#8), Lai Boon Yi (#9), Brian Tan (#10), Rovin Teh (#11), Javier Lee (#12), Nigel Wee (#15), Azriel Lee (#18)
ACJC Roster
Tan Le Ye (#1), Ryan Tan (#3), Darryl Koh (#4), Titus Ng (#5), Tai Jun Jie (#6), Luc Yi Ming Belanger (#7), Zheng Wei (#8), Lim Yee Chern (#9), Tay Jevvon (#10), Cheong Yee Ming (#11), Xie Han Seng (#13), Goh Jin Xuan (#16), Tneoh Yuan Ping (#17), Chin Yan Hunk (#18)
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