Contributed by reader Danny Ng.

Sembawang Secondary, Saturday, 6 December, 2008 – Sembwang Secondary School recently organised a friendly volleyball tournament involving all four divisions from various schools.

For the B Division, four schools – Clementi Woods Secondary, Hai Sing Catholic, Hillgrove Secondary and Catholic High – were invited.

The Hillgrove team was a big eye opener to all the coaches and schools when they were up against Sembawang Secondary. They manage to put up a good defense, especially in their blocking and receives.

Sembawang managed to put up good attacks to leav Hillgrove trailing early. Although their captain was injured due to a previous game, they managed to pull themselves back up with well organised attacks and a firm defense.

Hillgrove managed to close the gap but still failed to counter a few powerful spikes by the Sembwang players. Sembawang won the first set narrowly with a score of 25-22.

The second set saw Hillgrove reach top form. They were held by Sembawang for the first few points, but they managed pull away at the 11-10 mark.

Sembwang seemed to have lost form as they struggled to replicate the attacks that were displayed in the first set. Often, they found their spikes countered by the Hillgrove players who put up solid blocks that prevented any chance of scoring.

The Sembwang defense slowing started to fade away and Hillgrove took the chance to score, hurling attacks with tremendous forces and executing “fakes” that left the Sembawang players reeling. Hillgrove took the set 25-16.

The match was considered a draw as there was not enough time for a third set.

Sembawang might have the power and strength in their players, but Hillgrove definitely had nothing to fear with their solid defense.

Hillgrove drew with Catholic High and Hai Sing Catholic in their other matches, while they beat Clementi Woods Secondary with ease. They have definitely shown improvement since the recently concluded U-16 Volleyball Championship. Hopefully, they will be able to make waves in next year’s B Division Championship.

Good luck!