Anderson beat Xinmin 2-0 to book place in U-13 volleyball final

Story by Lai Jun Wei. Photos by Ng Cheng Cong and Lai Jun Wei.

Hougang Sports Hall, Saturday, 29 November, 2008 – Anderson Secondary beat Xinmin Secondary 2-0 (25-19, 25-22) in a semi-final of the 2008 National U-13 Boys Junior Volleyball Championship.

Anderson started well as they took the first two points of the match. They held on to a small lead right from the start, much credit to their good front line attacks. A few spiking errors by Xinmin only helped Anderson’ cause, with the score at 7-3 after Jasper’s (Xinmin, #1) backcourt spike found the net.

But Xinmin refused to give up, and soon caught up at 7-7 after Anderson’s setter Yu Xiang (#11) set a ‘double’. Ping Huay (Anderson, #12) spiked his subsequent ball into the net, and Xinmin now had the lead. But this was going to be short lived as Anderson charged forth to a 15-9 lead after a spiking error from Xinmin. A timeout had to be called by the Xinmin coach, but it did no help as Anderson continued scoring points after the resumption of the match.

Anderson was soon at 20-14 when Xinmin could not pick up a light return from Anderson. Anderson seemed all set to take the match, but two out-balls saw Xinmin revived as Jasper (Xinmin, #1) subsequently served an ace to force a touch out from Ping Huay (Anderson, #12). A lightly hit serve from him brought the score to 20-19, as Anderson fumbled on the receive.

Eager to equalise, he fired off his serve too hard, and it went out of bounds to bring the score to 21-19. Anderson reached set point when Wisely’s (Anderson, #18) attack from the backcourt deflected off the Xinmin blockers and went out of bounds.

Jun Rui (Anderson, #14) sealed the set with a light serve, which saw the Xinmin players unable to react in time and sending it out of bounds instead.

Anderson also had a good start in the second set, taking the first point. They held on to a slender lead, but they soon stormed ahead to give themselves a five point lead at 11-6. They extended it to 18-7 after some good serves by Ping Huay (Anderson, #12).

A timeout was called, and this seemed to prove useful for Xinmin as they started a brief catch up, earning six consecutive points. Though Anderson was still five points ahead, this catch up was enough to startle the Anderson coach into calling for a time out.

But Xinmin’s catch up was to no avail as Anderson soon pushed ahead and reached set point after a spike from James Ng (Xinmin, #9) went out of bounds.

All eyes were on Seng Leong (Anderson, #16) as he had the final serve. As the ball was picked up, James (Xinmin, #9) executed a drop shot which brushed off the Anderson blocker and went out of bounds.

Anderson was continued to be denied the win as they shot themselves in the foot with Yi Kai (Anderson, #17) spiking an out ball from the backcourt.

Anderson now relied on their #18, Wisely to finish off the game, as the ball was set up for him to attack. Facing a two man block as he came in from the outside, his ball was stuffed out and Anderson had to wait just a little bit longer.

With the score at 24-22, Xinmin was definitely eager to catch up. But they gifted Anderson the final point when their attack found the net.

Final score: 2-0 (25-19, 25-22)

Anderson will now play Shuqun Secondary in the final tomorrow, 30th November at Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall right after the Boys’ 3/4th placing match.

Xinmin on the other hand, will face off with Yishun Town Secondary tomorrow in the fight for third place right after the girls’ matches.

Good luck!

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!