Yishun Town Secondary overcome Catholic High 2-1 in U-16 volleyball

Story by REDintern Koh Yizhe. Pictures by Lai Jun Wei.

Hougang Sports Hall, Sunday, November 9, 2008 – Yishun Town Secondary (YTS) overcame the larger players of Catholic High School (CHS) in a heart stopping encounter in a Round 2, Group X match at the 2008 National U-16 Boys Junior Volleyball Championship.

Despite CHS having many hard hitters in their line-up, YTS still overcame them 2-1 (25-21, 13-25, 15-12). Great blocking by YTS proved to be the winning formula as they held off CHS in their attacks.

Esmond (YTS, #7) started the game poorly, hitting a spike out. In contrast, his opponent’s spiker was on fire, sending an unstoppable spike down the middle to give CHS a two-point lead.

Ernest (YTS, #12) did not let the slow start get to them as he responded by scoring two consecutive points. It wasn't long before a spike from YTS #11 gave them a slender lead at 5-4.

Despite trailing, CHS stayed within striking distance. Good quality spiking from the towering figures #11 and Qingshan (#7) were important to CHS staying in the game.

YTS only started to pull away towards the second half of the set to establish a lead at 16-12. CHS didn't help their own cause by piling up mistakes. Many uncharacteristic unforced errors allowed YTS to build a comfortable 20-12 lead.

But YTS almost squandered their lead as they saw CHS power themselves to just two points behind at 22-20. Knowing their lead was slipping, YTS responded with determination to wrap up the set quickly with Ernest (YTS, #12) displaying great recovery to keep a ball alive.

Jun Ze (YTS, #1) then finished off CHS with two consecutive spikes. The first, a powerful spike down the line, followed by a cross court spike to wrap up the set 25-21.

YTS were however unable to carry their momentum from the first set into the second. Jun Ze (YTS, #1) surrendered the service with a poor serve. In contrast, Qingshan (CHS, #7) was up to his serving best, giving his team a 2-0 lead.

With the lead, CHS were suddenly settled and began to show their quality. Making their size advantage count, they were able to effectively shut the door on the YTS spiking. Their serves were also making much impact, with YTS struggling to receive. A different array of shots from CHS #12 were also flying towards the YTS blockers and the latter were visible struggling to handle them.

It wasn't long before a touch of the net by Jun Ze (YTS, #1) gave CHS a massive 22-12 lead. The second set was finished in appropriate fashion with a spike from Qingshan (CHS, #7) down the middle in between Esmond (YTS, #7) and Ernest (YTS, #12), ending what was a great set for him as well as CHS.

The rubber set started with both sides nervously trading points in the initial stages. A spike from Esmond (YTS, #7) was immediately replied to by the towering CHS middle hitter, #11.

It was only at 10-9 that YTS started causing trouble for CHS.

YTS eventually hauled themselves to match point at 14-9. But CHS did well to save two match points, preventing YTS from taking an early win. The first was a perfect block which stuffed out the YTS attack, followed by a spike from Qingshan (CHS, #7).

However, all hope was to be short lived as the entire YTS front row went up for a three-man block against Qingshan (CHS, #7). This proved to be too much even for him as YTS wound up the set and match 15-12.

Final score: 2-1 (25-21, 13-25, 15-12)

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!