Nanyang Girls’ High beat Hua Yi Sec to emerge champions in West Zone C Division Volleyball

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Hua Yi Secondary, Thursday, February 18, 2010 - Nanyang Girls' High held off a second set comeback from Hua Yi to emerge champions in the West Zone C Division Girls Volleyball Championship final. They beat Hua Yi 2-0 (25-12, 25-22).

Nanyang started off slow, with Goh Jiamin (Nanyang #1) spiking into the Hua Yi block, and then spinning a spike out of bounds for Hua Yi to go 2-0 up. However, she forced a touch out from Hua Yi's blocker Lim Ruijia (#8) to take back service for Nanyang. She tied the set at 2-2 after forcing another touch out from her spike.

Setter Jenies Foo (Nanyang #2) was putting pressure on Hua Yi with her serves. Coupled with several good attacks from Jiamin (Nanyang #1), Nanyang raced to an 8-2 lead. It was only after Jiamin (Nanyang #1) spun another spike out of bounds that stopped the Nanyang scoring streak. Hua Yi tried to close the gap, but they had no answer to Jiamin's (Nanyang #1) serve. Hua Yi called a time out at the 17-9 mark in a bid to break Nanyang's momentum.

Nanyang were not slowed by the momentary pause, and surged ahead to set point after Ruijia (Hua Yi #8) spiked into the net. Gwyneth Teo (Nanyang #8) sealed the set for the team after her spike from the centre found an empty spot.

Nanyang seemed to have problems getting their attacking machine started in the second set. They trailed Hua Yi as their soft spikes were easily picked up by Hua Yi and sent back to their court. Both teams were neck and neck, with Hua Yi's Sze Ming (#3), Ruijia (#8) and Rannie (#16) applying constant pressure on Nanyang.

Nanyang's back row seemed to be suffering from a nervous attack as they faltered in several receives. Nanyang's open spikers Jiamin (#1) and Lee Aow See (#3) tried to pile on the attacks, but had difficulty breaking the Hua Yi defence.

With the score tied at 21-21, it was Hua Yi who stole the lead to go one point up against their opponents but Rannie (Hua Yi #16) served into the net to put Nanyang right back into the game.

Miscommunication among the Hua Yi players then saw Nanyang go up 23-22. Hua Yi quickly called a time out in a bid to plan a last-minute comeback but they could not pick up Jiamin’s (Nanyang #1) spike from the outside, allowing Nanyang to reach game point.

Aow See (Nanyang #3) fired off her serve which was picked up by Hua Yi. Unfortunately, it was sent straight to a waiting Koh Yiying (Nanyang #6), who promptly spiked the ball down to take the game 25-22 for Nanyang.

Final score: Nanyang 2 Hua Yi 0
(25-12, 25-22)

More photos in the gallery.

Editor's note: If you recognise yourself or any of your team mates in the photos, please feel free to leave the names behind and we will update accordingly. Thanks!