Ngee Ann beat Sembawang in action-packed game

VOLLEYBALL

National Junior U-16 Girls Volleyball Championships 2007, Round 2
Ngee Ann Secondary School vs Sembawang Secondary School
Tuesday, 11th November 2007 at Hougang Sports Hall

Pictures by Tiong Ting Shan and Lai Jun Wei.
Story by Red Sports volunteer Lai Jun Wei.

Round 2 of the National Junior U-16 (Girls) Volleyball Championship saw Sembawang Secondary (SMB) meet West Zone powerhouse Ngee Ann Secondary (NAS). Both teams exhibited fantastic play with their excellent attacks and beautiful defence.

NAS flexed their muscles in the first set as they pounded SMB with their spikes. SMB did not fall as they counter-attacked with drop shots and powerful spikes as well. However, they were unable to overcome Ngee Ann’s power as they fell 20-25 in the first set.

The second set saw Sembawang’s amazing recovery. Guided by their coach, the players executed well-placed attacks and put up strong blocks against the NAS attacks. The SMB centre (#2) spiked into all parts of the NAS court as she headed the SMB counter attack. Many points were earned as they took the second set 25-22.

The game headed into a rubber set with both teams neck and neck. The first few points saw both teams chasing each other closely. The ‘outside hitters’ of NAS gave SMB a run for their money as their continuous attacks broke through SMB’s defence. NAS looked set to win as they led NAS by four points. However, the SMB players were not to be easily thwarted as they managed to recover from a loss to take the lead at 12-11, thanks to the powerful serves of SMB’s #3. Sarah (#16, NAS), the Ngee Ann libero contributed much to the defence as she dived to rescue many stray balls.

The score was at 14-12, in favour of SMB when the NAS coach called for a crucial time out. Tensions were high as players on the bench were all sitting on edge. The game point was beautifully saved by a drop shot by Carolyn (#1, NAS), the ‘outside hitter’. Good blocking by the NAS players saved another SMB game point to bring the set to a deuce at 14-14. NAS’s Carolyn (#1) hit a spectacular shot from the outside, just enough to deflect off one of the SMB’s players to score a ‘touch-out’ point for NAS. The last point was clinched by NAS with an ‘ace’ serve and the girls erupted in screams. The coach of NAS heaved a sigh of relief as his team managed to overcome SMB’s challenge.

Final score: 2-1 (25-20, 22,25, 15,13)

Though SMB may have lost this game, their game play deserves to be commended. Both teams showed extreme team work and fighting spirit. Well done to all!

More pictures in the gallery.

Editor's note: If you recognise yourself or your teammates, or if we've got the names wrong, let us know and we'll update the captions. If you have the latest details of the Volleyball Championship, please update readers in the "comments" section. Thanks.