Anglo-Chinese Junior College steal victory in second round of A Division Volleyball Championship

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.

CCAB, Tuesday, May 5, 2009 – In the opening match of the second round of the girls’ A Division Volleyball Championship, Anglo-Chinese Junior College snatched victory from Jurong Junior College in a gruelling three-set match with a 2-1 (26-24, 23-25, 25-14) triumph.

Several long rallies started off the first set, with the teams equally matched. JJC centre spiker Sophia (#7) was not thundering down her spikes, choosing instead to execute drop shots or lightly tapped spikes.

ACJC then began to falter in the first few rallies and trailed 2-9. A time-out by ACJC put a temporary stop to JJC’s scoring streak, as they took the next point upon resumption with a tap to the far right corner.

With Sophia trapped in the back court, JJC’s front court attacking strength was greatly reduced. ACJC grabbed this opportunity to score consecutive points, but their momentum was stopped abruptly when their #9 served into the net. The score remained close, as JJC could not pull away for a big lead.

ACJC steadily kept pace with JJC, and a series of mistakes by the JJC side saw ACJC bring the score to 20-21. But JJC summoned up their strength to increase their lead, and were soon at set point after the ACJC #8 served an out ball.

ACJC denied JJC a quick win as a well placed drop shot by team captain Jean Lim (#12) and a subsequent net touch by JJC’s setter Jasmine (#9) saw ACJC just one point away at 23-24.

The set went into a deuce when Jean successfully blocked a drop shot by Sophia (JJC, #7). Having squandered away their lead, JJC were obviously affected. Jasmine tried to set a poorly received first ball which was heading straight towards the net, but ended up fouling with a net touch. With ACJC one point up, and at set point, they snatched victory when their #2 spiked from the outside to force a touch out from JJC.

JJC seemed to have been rattled after losing the first set. ACJC on the other hand appeared to have settled in well, keeping their score close to JJC. With ACJC just one point behind at 10-11, Huilin (JJC #3) sent several strong serves across to bounce back from the stalemate.

But a series of long rallies ensued, with no team able to put up a decisive attack. The score gap was thin as a wire, with ACJC just one point behind at 22-23 after a JJC received a ball poorly.

A crucial time out by JJC was called for the coach to calm his players’ nerves. A repeat scenario of the first set looked possible, and anxiety could be clearly seen on JJC faces.

Good blocking from JJC saw them deflect an ACJC spike back to the latter’s court, reaching set point. But they denied themselves the win when Sophia (JJC, #7) contacted the net while trying to block ACJC #8’s spike.

It was a nerve wrecking moment as the 23-24 score meant that the game could still go either way. Thankfully, Sophia ended all unnecessary worries when she sent a spike down the centre to win the set for JJC 25-23, forcing the match into the rubber.

ACJC took an early lead in the rubber, but again, the scores remained close with both teams tied at 9-9 after an ACJC spike that went out of bounds.

The teams traded points and at the changeover, ACJC led by two points at 13-11. From then on, ACJC never looked back as they raked up more points. JJC were not helping themselves with their errors, gifting ACJC many crucial points.

ACJC were on a high, while JJC seemed to be imploding, their morale clearly affected. The match was for ACJC to lose, as they built up a ten point lead at 23-13 after ACJC #8 returned a poor ball by JJC with a hard hit spike.

A serve into the net by the Jean could not dampen their spirits as Pauline’s (JJC, #1) attempt to spike a ball coming from behind her found the net. ACJC sealed the game when they tactfully stuffed out a drop shot by the Pauline (JJC, #1).

Final score: 2-1 (26-24, 23-25, 25-14)

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.