Jurong Secondary girls take third with 3-0 win over Bukit Panjang in B Division Volleyball Championship

Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Pictures by Lai Jun Wei.

Presbyterian High School, Friday, April 3, 2009 - Jurong Secondary School had a comfortable straight-sets 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-8) victory over Bukit Panjang Government High to take third place in the National B Division Girls Volleyball Championship.

Bukit Panjang came into the match without their centre spiker Farah (#3) who injured her ankle in an earlier match. They certainly seemed to be sorely missed her height throughout the match.

The first set was a tight one as both teams attempted to take the lead. Bukit Panjang's Lingying (#6) started the match with a thunderous spike, but Seah Siew Hoon (Jurong, #11) struck right back with a spike of her own. The next one wasn't as good as she sent it into the net, and with another Lingying spike, Bukit Panjang were 3-1 up.

Both teams exchanged points throughout with Cheryl Teo (Jurong, #2) and Lingying (Bukit Panjang, #6) making their presence felt with their powerful spikes. Xinni (Bukit Panjang, #1) then failed to dig out a cross court spike to give Jurong a crucial 23-20 lead.

Although Bukit Panjang managed to get one more point, they were unable to do anything when Lim Zi Qing (Jurong, #15) sent a spike down the middle to give Jurong the set point. Jurong then took the first set 25-21 after their player tipped the ball across to an empty spot.

The second set seemed easier for Jurong as they raced to a 4-0 lead. Good blocking seemed to be the key for them as they steadily extended their lead to 15-8. It wasn't long before a Cheryl Teo spike brought Jurong to the 23-16 mark.

Lim Zi Qing (Jurong, #15) then brought her team to the set point with a spike to the back of Bukit Panjang’s court. In the final rally of the set, Jiayu (Bukit Panjang, #10) made a failed effort to block outside spiker Cynthia Lai (Jurong, #12), to give Jurong the second set 25-16 and a two-set lead.

A comeback looked on the cards as Jurong surrendered the first points with Seah Siew Hoon (Jurong, #11) touching the net, and Lim Zi Qing (Jurong, #15) serving into the net to give Bukit Panjang a 2-1 lead. Bukit Panjang continued their streak to take an 8-4 lead.

That however, was as big a lead they would get over Jurong. Jurong went on a massive 21-point run to finish the match. Jurong setter Krystal Goh (#8) delivered solid serves throughout the 21 points to help her team reach match point. Cynthia Lai (Jurong, #12) scored the team's last point with a powerful spike to give her team the set and the match at 25-8.

"I felt that the team played well as they just recovered following yesterday's semi-final defeat. On top of that, they have risen to the occasion even after the tiring match," said teacher-in-charge Ms Ong.

"We did beat Bukit Panjang in the earlier stages of the Nationals so we were expecting a good result. Some players have also reached their peak as well, like Krystal and Siew Hoon."

Krystal, who served 21 consecutive points in the third set, was happy with the result.

“It was definitely unexpected to us. It was the first time I served so many balls and I am very happy to make this contributon to the team. I didn’t think about the results coming into the match at all, and I believe that’s how my team thought too.”

“With this being the last match for some players, enjoying the game felt more important than winning and I believe the results would come gradually from there.”

When asked what she felt about Bukit Panjang, she commented, “No match is easy. The fact that we all got into nationals top four, already proves we’re all teams with standards.”

The final match of the B Division Volleyball Championship pits Ngee Ann against Nangyang Girls' High at Yio Chu Kang Sports Hall, Wednesday, 8 April, at 2.30pm.

More pictures in the gallery.

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 accordingly. Thanks!