Xinmin Secondary hold off Anderson Secondary to come in 3rd in U-13 volleyball

Story by Lai Jun Wei. Photos by Tiong Ting Shan and Lai Jun Wei.

Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall, Sunday, November 30, 2008 – Xinmin Secondary held off Anderson Secondary to win 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 15-25, 25-12) in their 3rd/4th placing match of the 2008 National U-13 Girls Junior Volleyball Championship.

Anderson won the chance to serve in the coin toss, but Pancy’s (Anderson, #1) underhand serve at the very start could not cross the net, giving the first point to Xinmin. But a free ball by Xinmin that went out of bounds brought the score to 1-1. The fight for points was close, with many rallies ensuing. Anderson had a small lead, but at 10-12, Wang Qi Hui (Xinmin, #4) thundered a spike down from the outside to bring Xinmin to one point away from Anderson.

At the next point, Jolly (Anderson, #9) sent a high ‘free ball’ over, which was easily picked up by Qi Hui (Xinmin, #4) and executed a well placed drop shot near the net to level the scores. Xinmin subsequently took the lead after a bad receive by Anderson saw the ball go into the net.

Though Xinmin had the lead, Anderson quickly fought back, levelling again at 17-17. The game remained close, with the scores tied at 20-20. At 23-22, the Anderson back row was far too forward, and a ball that was hit to the backline saw them unable to receive. Jolly (Anderson, #9) tried to turn backwards but she just could not reach the ball in time.

2nd set:

A miscommunication in the Anderson camp saw them unable to receive the first attack from Xinmin. But that did not stop them from taking an early lead. Xinmin was not going to be put down so easily, tying at 10-10 with a shot that saw Jolly (Anderson, #9) clash with her team mate in a bid to receive the ball. However, Anderson quickly broke free and took the lead once again. Unfortunately, Xinmin caught up with them at 21-21 after a good attack from Rachael (Xinmin, #18). Bad luck chose to befall Anderson at this moment as they saw Xinmin surge ahead and reach set point.

But Xinmin shot themselves in the foot when Bernice Lim (Xinmin, #7) served into the antenna. In the fight for the next point, Rachael (Xinmin, #18) went up from the centre and spiked hard past the Anderson blocker. As the ball hit the ground, it seemed like Xinmin had taken the set. But Rachael (Xinmin, #18) suddenly hooked the net with her hand!

Rachael made no mistake for the next point, as she lightly tapped the ball into the 3m zone of Anderson’s court. Pancy (Anderson, #1) tried to receive it, but the ball simply bounced off her hand for a touch out.

3rd set:

With already two sets in the bag, Xinmin was all gearing to go. Pancy (Anderson, #1) served the first ball out of bounds to give Xinmin the first point of the set, but Seow Wei Sze (Xinmin, #8) returned the favour when she served the ball into the net.

Anderson #3 subsequently served a few good balls to take the lead. Fatigue might have set in, as Xinmin suddenly seemed to be struggling to receive Anderson’s attacks. They also committed several faults for Anderson to lead at 5-9.

Xinmin simply committed too many unforced errors in this set as they were unprepared to receive many of Anderson’s attacks. Miscommunication plagued their play as they watched many balls drop. Anderson took advantage of Xinmin’s slip up and took the set 15-25.

4th set:

Unfortunately for Anderson, Xinmin pulled up their socks and went all out to take the last set. Complacency might have set in in the third set, but they certainly aimed to shrug it off in the fourth, drawing a huge lead over Anderson at 18-10.

Anderson desperately tried to catch up, but it seemed like a herculean task as the daunting score gap seemed to be increasing with every moment.

Xinmin was soon at game point after a service ace by Qi Hui (Xinmin, #4). The last point was won when Rachael (Xinmin, #18) spiked to the left back of Anderson’s court, and there was no takers.

Final score: 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 15-25, 25-12)

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!