Temasek Poly, NUS win 2008 IVP Volleyball Championships

Story and pictures by reader Ng Cheng Cong

NP’s Hong Shunliang fires a shot past the SP blocker. (Photo © Ng Cheng Cong)

Temasek Polytechnic (TP) beat the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in January 2008 to win the men’s Inter-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Volleyball Championship. In the Women’s category, the National University of Singapore (NUS) were the champions after beating Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP).

The results of the tournament are as follow:

Men’s
1st - Temasek Polytechnic
2nd - Nanyang Technological University
3rd - National University of Singapore
4th – Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Women’s
1st - National University of Singapore
2nd - Ngee Ann Polytechnic
3rd - Temasek Polytechnic
4th – Singapore Polytechnic

The following are some highlights from the Men’s Group B match between Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic.

Temasek Polytechnic, Thursday, January 10, 2008 – Ngee Ann Polytechnic played a very tight game against Singapore Polytechnic to qualify for a spot in the semi-finals of the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Volleyball Championships.

The game started with both team fighting strongly for every point. NP took the first set after breaking SP's defense with lightning speed spikes. In the next set, NP took their foot off the pedal and allowed rival SP to gain a huge lead in points to eventually win the 2nd set.

NP again trailed SP in the 3rd set but were able to overcome SP's 1 point lead at 15-14 to move into a 17-15 lead. SP tried to regain their lead but were unable to do so and allowed NP to take the set for an overall 2-1 lead. With fatigue setting in, the 4th set was filled with unforced errors with SP eventually winning the set 25-20 to even the score up at 2 sets apiece.

Into the final set of the game, NP showed superior attacking techniques and strategies to eventually beat SP 15-13. NP emerged second in the Men’s Group B behind Temasek Polytechnic. NP finished 4th in the championships, losing to NUS in the 3/4th playoffs.

Set 1: 25-23 (1-0)
Set 2: 16-25 (1-1)
Set 3: 25-23 (2-1)
Set 4: 20-25 (2-2)
Set 5: 15-13 (3-2)
Final Score: NP 3 SP 2

SP’s Brandon sends the ball past the NP blocker. (Photo © Ng Cheng Cong)

Gilbert Pang (SP) finds himself up against an NP block. (Photo © Ng Cheng Cong)

SP hits the ball over the NP block. (Photo © Ng Cheng Cong)

Editor's note: If you recognise yourself or your teammates, or you have the scores of the games, let us know and we'll update the captions. Thanks.

More pictures in the gallery.