Victoria Junior College fend off defending champions Hwa Chong Institution in A Division girls volleyball

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.

CCAB, Tuesday, May 5, 2009 – Defending champion Hwa Chong Institution suffered a blow to their chances of retaining their title when they fell to Victoria Junior College in a Round 2 match of the A Division Girls Volleyball Championship. VJC beat HCI 2-0 (25-17, 25-10).

In what was dubbed as a battle of the titans, both teams gave each other a hard fight in the first set. VJC took the first point when their centre spiker spiked the ball into the white tape and it rolled into HCI’s court.

But HCI quickly responded and took back a point. Several intense rallies ensued, with the score tied at several instances. Supporters from both camps cheered emotively, boosting the morale of their team.

VJC took a slim lead at 11-8, but HCI were not far behind, closing the gap with a drop shot from HCI #5 and a good serve by HCI #7. The score was tied again when VJC #7 spiked the ball out of bounds.

With both teams refusing to let up on the pressure, it was down to unforced errors from HCI which allowed VJC to grab the lead. A HCI time out at 16-13 gave the coach a brief moment with his players to help them recover from their costly errors.

But with VJC still controlling the serve, their #12 capitalised on this and built up their lead further. VJC #6 took the team to 20-13 when she thundered the ball down the line with a powerful spike.

HCI #7 finally stopped VJC’s rampage when she successfully blocked a spike from VJC’s centre. With their momentum interrupted, VJC suddenly stumbled, as two badly executed spikes saw HCI come within four points of them at 20-16.

A time out by VJC at this moment did not seem to have an immediate effect, as VJC stumbled on the next point when they could not receive HCI #5’s serve.

It was HCI who turned the tables on themselves when their #12 made two spiking errors to allow VJC to gain a five point lead at 22-17.

With their confidence regained, VJC #3 spiked a ball from the centre to the left corner to move closer to taking the set. A HCI time out proved fruitless as HCI #4’s spike from the opposite side saw it go out of bounds at the far left corner.

VJC took home the set when their blocking #3 pressed down a bad return sent straight to her hand.

With their morale boosted and blood levels pumping, VJC looked set to give HCI a tough time in the second set. VJC #7 took the first point for her team when her serve dropped right in front of HCI #7, just inches out of her reach. VJC #6 affirmed herself in the front row when she put up several excellent attacks to give the team a 5-0 lead.

A set which went awry for VJC saw HCI gain their first point of the set. A bad receive on HCI #17’s serve allowed HCI to take another point. But this temporary setback was overcome as VJC retook control of the game and stormed ahead, leaving HCI helpless and without an answer to their attack. VJC particularly targeted HCI’s libero, sending many balls to deflect off her.

A time out by HCI at 13-3 temporarily gave the team a breather, as they struggled to reorganise. With the huge gap, HCI’s spirits seemed broken. VJC on the other hand were raging on with momentum to score point after point.

HCI were given a morale boost when a dubious serve by VJC #6 was ruled as having gone out. But HCI #9’s serve found the net at this crucial opportunity.

Down by 15 points, HCI refused to buckle under pressure and did not let down on their attack. HCI #7 spiked to the centre from the opposite corner to bring the score to 22-8. On her turn to serve, she fired off a good shot which deflected off a VJC player.

On the next rally, VJC #2’s spike from the opposite side deflected off HCI #4’s block into the HCI court where HCI #5 was caught unprepared. With the overwhelming odds, HCI attempted to hold off VJC for as long as they could, executing a drop shot which VJC stumbled to receive.

With the score at 23-10, VJC were looking to seal the win. VJC #7 spiked from the outside to the centre of HCI’s court to bring VJC to game point. With VJC #5 serving for the match, it was a nail biting moment for both sides, with each hoping to deny the other the crucial point.

VJC #5’s serve was picked up and set to HCI centre spiker #4. Perhaps it was her nerves, but as she contacted the ball, it was clear where the ball was going – straight into the net.

With this loss, HCI would have to win all their remaining matches against Nanyang JC and Dunman High in order to have a chance at the final. VJC certainly played to their fullest, making the most out of their opportunities. With a win under their belt, their quest to the championship final looks well on track.

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.