Nanyang Junior College overcome Victoria JC 3-0 to emerge champions in A Division girls’ volleyball

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Yio Chu Kang Sports Hall, Monday, May 18, 2009 – Nanyang Junior College overcame Victoria Junior College 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-22) in a dramatic final of the A Division Girls’ Volleyball Championship. The match saw them stage a remarkable comeback in two of the sets and hold off a comeback attempt by their opponent to emerge champions.

VJC took the first two points with ease, with Tang Yu Wen (VJC, #6) spinning a spike down and Jobel Ang (VJC, #7) forcing a touch out with her serve. Loh Zuo Yi (NYJC, #8) tried to execute a drop shot on the next point but sent it into the net to give VJC a three point lead. NYJC committed several errors subsequently, which led to a time out called at 2-6. It was not enough to stop VJC as Yu Wen took the next point when her spike deflected off the net to roll into NYJC’s court.

After a tight rally, Cheng Kai Ting (NYJC, #5) spiked from the outside into a spot just out of reach of the VJC libero Michelle Liew. A serve by her to Michelle on the next point also saw the latter unable to receive. However, Yu Wen prevented any more points to be scored for NYJC when she sent the ball straight down to bring the score to 4-8.

But then on, the tables seemed to have turned as NYJC started catching up with VJC. With VJC still ahead, they were still holding strong against NYJC, until Kai Ting tied the score at 12-12 after a spike to the right corner. Tan Li Jie (VJC, #3) gave NYJC the lead when her spike from the opposite side could not find its way across. NYJC furthered their lead when their spike into VJC’s block saw the ball fall into VJC’s court, out of reach of any player.

A time out by VJC was unable to change anything as a few errors by VJC gifted NYJC valuable points to bring the score to 19-13. Another time out called saw VJC try to climb back up, but despite this, they were held off by NYJC. The latter soon reached set point at 24-18, but Yeo Ming Qi (NYJC, #11) spiked an out ball to hold their win. Fortunately for them, Yu Wen served the ball out of bounds for NYJC to take the set.

It was a tight second set as both teams were tied neck and neck. NYJC gained a slight advantage at 12-8, only to have VJC close in. They managed to pull a 18-13 lead, but a time out by VJC broke their momentum. From then on, VJC started their comeback attempt, levelling the scores at 18-18 when they forced a touch out with a spike to NYJC’s blocker.

A time out by the NYJC coach to calm his player’s nerves worked as NYJC took the next point. Ming Qi scored with a light tap over the VJC blocker, only to see the score tied again as VJC snatched back the next point.

NYJC rallied together for a final surge, drawing a lead over VJC. They were at set point after Wong Sze Waiy (VJC, #13) spiked into the white tape of the net. VJC were not going to let NYJC have an easy win, as Yu Wen spiked into an empty spot to narrow the score gap. A spike that went out by NYJC saw both teams separated by just one point at 24-23. It was a nerve wrecking moment as both teams fought hard to win that point. But alas, it was a ‘double’ committed by VJC that gifted NYJC that last point to take the set.

With winning the third set being the only way for VJC to have a chance at the trophy, the girls went all out against NYJC. They stormed to an early 6-1 lead, silencing NYJC with their attacks. A time out by NYJC was not enough, as VJC continued their rampage, chalking a nine point lead at 14-5.

A time out by NYJC gave the players some breathing space, and this seemed to have worked, for this marked the start of NYJC’s remarkable comeback. It might have seemed like a herculean task, but NYJC overcame their deficit to bring themselves just one point from VJC at 19-18. A time out by VJC’s coach to try and organise his players could not stop NYJC from levelling the score at 19-19 after setter Jeanne Gwee (NYJC, #9) executed a drop shot that Tang Hui Shan (VJC, #5) could not receive.

VJC looked a little rattled that they had lost their lead whereas NYJC were brimming with confidence, blood pumping and hoping to steal the set from VJC. VJC were not going down without a fight as they took back the lead, and were at 22-20 until Li Jie spiked into the net from the opposite side.

VJC suffered another blow when their setter seemed to have suffered some difficulty in the next rally. While approaching a ball for the second touch, she mis-stepped and could not set the ball up, letting out a yelp of pain as she almost fell to the ground. She had to be substituted off for VJC #2 at this crucial moment with the score tied at 22-22. NYJC also took this opportunity to bring Cheng Kai Ting back up for Tan Chun En (NYJC, #3).

To add to their woes, VJC #10 spiked the ball out on the next rally for NYJC to take the lead. NYJC brought themselves to match point when a spike from them went just out of reach of a VJC player. NYJC jumped for joy as they took the last point when VJC couldn’t spike the ball across, leaving a disappointed VJC in their wake.

The VJC girls were keeping strong, thanking their supporters while trying hard to hold back tears of disappointment. Their faces could not hide their emotions, but they probably knew that they had tried their best, giving NYJC a good fight. It was just a terrible waste that they had managed to take such a decisive lead in the third set only to have it slip away.

NYJC put up a spectacular performance in this match, snatching a win to crown themselves the new champion of A Division Girls’ Volleyball.
Final score: 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-22)

NYJC players
Marilyn Chin
Tan Yi Ling
Tan Chun En
Cheng Kai Ting
Chua Yun Xiu
Loh Zuo Yi
Jeanne Gwee
Lim Sin Yee
Yeo Ming Qi

VJC players
Tang Hui Shan
Jobel Tan
Jocelyn Ong
Tang Yu Wen
Kimberly Tham
Wong Sze Waiy
Lai Peishi
Michelle Liew
Chantal Tan
Tan Li Jie
Lin Xin
Loo Hui Lin

More pictures in the gallery.