Nanyang Girls’ hold off last-minute comeback by Jurong to top group in West Zone B Division Volleyball

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Hua Yi Secondary, Monday, February 8, 2010 - Nanyang Girls' High held off a persistent Jurong Secondary 2-0 (25-23, 26-24) to top their group in Round 2 of the B Division Girls' West Zone Volleyball Championship.

A last-minute comeback in the first set and a nerve-wracking second set kept tensions high. Jurong extended their dominance early in the first set, taking an early lead at 8-2. A serve into the net by Jurong momentarily stopped their scoring streak and the serve returned to Nanyang.

Eleanor (Nanyang, #1) seized the opportunity and fired off a good serve to bring the score to 3-8. However, Chuning (Nanyang, #5) spiked the ball out of bounds in the next rally for Jurong to continue their scoring streak.

Nanyang took some time to get their nerves settled, and slowly started catching up with Jurong. Nanyang were soon one point away from Jurong at the 10-11 mark when Jurong's libero Jia Hui (#4) hit a ball into the net. However, Celene (Nanyang, #2) unfortunately served her next shot into the net for Jurong to extend their lead.

Nanyang were continuously on Jurong's heels, and dramatically tied the scores at 14-14 when centre spiker Eleanor Chua (Nanyang, #1) spiked from the centre to the left back corner of the court, with Jurong's Cynthia (#11) unable to receive.

Eleanor subsequently stole the lead from Jurong when she stuffed out a loose ball sent straight into her block. With adrenaline pumping, Nanyang edged further away from Jurong, causing the Jurong bench to call for a time out at the 17-14 mark.

It was now Jurong's turn to start their chase of Nanyang. Good placing by their spikers Zi Qing (#8), and Li Bing (#9) saw them earn several crucial points. At the 23-20 mark, Jurong called a time out in a bid to break Nanyang's scoring streak. However, Celene (Nanyang, #2) was unfazed by the break and served a good shot to bring the team to set point. However, Jurong forced a touch-out from Celene at the next rally, to hold off Nanyang's win.

Jurong then scored two consecutive points to bring the score to 24-23. A time out by Nanyang momentarily halted the action, and it was Eleanor (Nanyang, #1) who delivered at the final moment. A good spike from the outside sealed the set 25-23 for Nanyang.

Jurong was not going to let Nanyang have an easy second set. A block by Zi Qing (Jurong, #8) saw the team go one up against Nanyang. Miscommunication between Eleanor (Nanyang, #1) and her team's setter Sara (#7) saw the next point gifted to Jurong. However, Qiuyun's (Jurong, #6) serve could not find its way across the net, and Nanyang took back service.

The scores were neck and neck, with Nanyang maintaining a slim lead. Jurong closed the gap at 17-17 when Eleanor's (Nanyang, #1) spike from the outside went out of bounds.

However, Chuning's (Nanyang, #5) lightly spiked ball from the back court saw Li Bing (Jurong, #9) caught off guard and unable to receive the trick shot.

Nanyang stepped on the pedal in the final few moments, and quickly reached game point with Eleanor's (Nanyang, #1) spike to the backline. Celene (Nanyang, #2) delayed the team's win when she accidentally sent the ball out of bounds during her serve.

With the score gap only at three points, Zi Qing (Jurong, #8) narrowed the gap further with a spike down to Nanyang's front row. Eleanor (Nanyang, #1) was late on the block in the next rally, and Zi Qing seized the opportunity to force a touch out from Celene (Nanyang, #2).

The second set seemed like it was going to be as closely contested as the first, and Hui Ting (Jurong, #1) revived her team's hopes when she brought the game to a deuce. Hui Ting had sent a spike off Eleanor's (Nanyang, #1) hands to force a touch-out.

Eleanor (Nanyang, #1) tried several means to place her shots in the subsequently rally, but was often met by Cynthia (Jurong, #11) and Jia Hui (#4). Nanyang gained the upper hand again when a spike from Eleanor clipped the net, only for Jurong's setter to send it out of bounds.

The next point brought everyone to the edge of their seats as Jurong went all out to prevent Nanyang from taking the set. With their spikers Zi Qing (#8) and #9 off the court, it was to Nanyang's Eleanor who sealed the set and the game for her team with a spike from the centre to the left back of the court for a 26-24 second set win.

Nanyang will play Group B runners up Shuqun Secondary on February 10, whereas Jurong will play Group B leaders Bukit Panjang Government High. Both matches will be held at Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall. The first match will start at 1 pm.

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!