Fairfield beat Dunman High 2-0 to progress into Round 2 in U-16 volleyball

Story and photos by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.

Hougang Sports Hall, Sunday, 2 November, 2008 – Fairfield Methodist beat Dunman High convincingly in a Group B Match at the 2008 National Under-16 Girls Junior Volleyball Championship, winning 2-0 (25-15, 25-8). Fairfield now progress into Round 2 together with group B leaders Ngee Ann Secondary.

Chew Hui Min (Fairfield, #3) took the first point of the game with a powerful spike from the centre into the left corner of the Dunman court. The second point was won when Dunman’s receive went awry and hit the left antenna. Dunman then took their first point when their #6 hit a ball to the centre of Fairfield’s court, straight into the Fairfield libero and forcing a touch-out.

Fairfield then stormed ahead with their powerful serves which often left the Dunman players reeling or unable to organise a substantial attack. Hui Min (Fairfield, #3) and outside spiker Eleanor Toh (Fairfield, #7) contributed many points to team. At the 11-4 point mark, Hui Min’s serve was picked up by Dunman and spiked back at Fairfield. The receive was not taken up properly and Dunman brought the score to 11-5.

Dunman then started narrow the gap, with their #9 scoring several points to eventually bring the score to 21-15. With Dunman having the privilege of service, they seemed set to narrow the score gap even further. However, Dunman #8 unfortunately served an out ball to gift Fairfield another point.

The last point was won when Lee Yutong (Fairfield, #11) spiked from the centre to the right corner of the Dunman court, and it deflected out of bounds off a Dunman player.

The second set saw Fairfield suffer an early scare. Eleanor (Fairfield, #7) won the point with a back court spike which was not picked up. However, Jian Ping (Fairfield, #6) served the ball out of bounds to allow Dunman to tie at 1-1. Several spikes found the net which allowed Dunman to pick up some points.

However, after some rallying from their coach, they stormed ahead. Towards the final few points, Hui Min (Fairfield, #3) spiked a ball into the Dunman blocker, but the ball still went down into the Dunman court; 22-7.

Eleanor (Fairfield, #7) then serve a ball which saw Dunman unable to receive to inch her team closer to the win; 23-7. She repeated this shortly after to take the next point, and the bring the game to game point.

With the last point at hand, all eyes seemed set on Eleanor as she contacted the ball. Perhaps it was anxiousness, for as the ball sailed past the net, it was clear that the win would be delayed as the ball floated out of bounds.

Dunman really did not do justice to themselves for they gave Fairfield the win when Dunman #17’s serve went straight into the net.

Final score: 2-0 (25-15, 25-8)

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!