Bukit Panjang Govt High overcome Shuqun Secondary in U-16 volleyball

Story and photos by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.

Hougang Sports Hall, Thursday, October 30, 2008 – Despite playing without a coach present, Bukit Panjang Government High (Team 1) survived a comeback by Shuqun Secondary in the second set to win 2-1 (25-13, 21-25, 15-6) in a Group C Match at the 2008 National Under-16 Girls Junior Volleyball Championship.

The first few points were close rallies which saw strong spikes and tight blocking by both teams. The BPGH #3 was instrumental in scoring points, driving in many well placed spikes. Low Zou Yi (Shuqun, #8) on the other hand was the spiker of choice for Shuqun as her reliability meant that she could deliver. However, she was a little off form as compared to her performance at last year’s U-16 and this year’s nationals.

Consistency was the key for the BPGH spikers and they exploited gaps in the Shuqun defence, finding empty space with their spikes and scoring many valuable points for the team. Even Shuqun’s nimble setter Shasha Sabrina (Shuqun, #5) could not do much to revive the team as she flew around the court to rescue stray balls.

Towards the latter part of the set, the BPGH serves started to intensify and Shuqun could mount no serious attacks. Many free balls were sent back to the BPGH side, giving BPGH golden opportunities to attack.

The attacks that Shuqun managed to put up were lacked in power and intensity, most which were easily picked up by the BPGH players. The Shuqun captain, Zou Yi (#8) did her best to encourage her team mates and cheer them on but BPGH won the set easily 25-13.

However, Shuqun made an incredible come back in the second set. After holding off BPGH, they led 23-19. The Shuqun #7 then released a strong serve which BPGH were unable to return to bring the game to set point.

The Shuqun #7 released yet another serve and this time BPGH managed to organise an attack, with BPGH #3 hitting a drop shot which Shuqun #5 tried to dive and save but to no avail.

Now trailing 20-24, the BPGH #3 then denied Shuqun the set again after successfully blocking a spike from Shuqun #8. With BPGH closing in at 21-24, Shuqun were eager to finish off the set and bring the match into a rubber.

It was Zou Yi (Shuqun, #8) who delivered the set when she spiked a cross court from the opposite side into the deep left corner of the BPGH court. It appeared out but it just clipped the line, giving Shuqun the set.

The rubber set was a tough one and it was a fight to the end. The Shuqun #7 opened the set with a spike down the line to make it 1-0. However, BPGH established a lead through powerful spikes by their #10 to lead 8-2.

Both teams were now showing signs of weariness. Shuqun’s attacks were relatively disorganised but BPGH also could not put up many attacks as well.

Leading 11-4, the BPGH #10 served two strong balls, with one serve deflecting out of bounds off the Zou Yi (Shuqun, #8).

Shuqun however were not easy to finish off as they clawed their way back to earn another point with a spike from Fernanda (#6), on the opposite side. Shuqun then wasted an opportunity when Fernanda (#6) served way out of bounds to gift BPGH another point.

Now leading 13-5, the BPGH #5 attempted to set the ball across to the Shuqun side. Her ball clipped the net, and simply rolled into an empty spot behind the Shuqun blocker to gain set and match point.

The BPGH #7 had the task of finishing off the game with her service but Shuqun organised an attack that their #6, Fernanda spiked hard enough to deflect off the BPGH libero to deny BPGH the win and close the gap to 6-14.

At this point, the Shuqun #11 was substituted by teammate #2 to serve. Clearly disappointed with her performance, the #11 huddled in one corner and buried her face in her towel.

The final point Shuqun lost was unjustified. As the Shuqun #2 fired off her serve, the referee sounded his whistle to indicate Shuqun had committed a position fault. BPGH were awarded the point and the game.

Final score: 2-1 (25-13, 21-25, 15-6)

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!