Defending champs HCI beat Nanyang JC to achieve A Division volleyball double

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Woodlands Sports Hall, Friday, May 14, 2010 – It was a repeat of last year’s final as defending champions Hwa Chong Institution defeated Nanyang Junior College 3-0 (28-26, 27-25, 25-20) to emerge champions in the National A Division Boys’ Volleyball Championship. Hwa Chong completed a double after their Girls’ team clinched the championship title in the earlier match.

HCI had a good start to take the lead over NYJC. NYJC kept the scores close and both teams traded blows as they went neck and neck. NYJC eventually levelled the score at 16-16 after errors by HCI.

The lead changed hands several times but HCI took set point after NYJC was fouled for a net violation. However, NYJC brought the match into a deuce after a spike. NYJC went on to save two other set points, seeing the score levelled 26-26. Qing Shan (HCI #13) took set point for the team after forcing a touch out from the NYJC blocker. HCI then sealed the set after NYJC were unable to return HCI’s spike.

After managing to hold off NYJC’s repeated advances, HCI were on a high and blitzed to an 8-2 lead in the second set. NYJC did not let the deficit put them down and they fought hard to catch up.

After several successful attempts, NYJC saw themselves two points away from HCI at 14-12. NYJC came close to leveling, and they finally drew 17-17 after Melvin Goh (HCI #7) spiked out. The scores continued to remain close, and NYJC took the lead for the first time at the 20-19 mark after HCI were unable to organize a return.

NYJC continued holding onto their lead, only for HCI to level at 23-23, prompting a timeout. NYJC then took set point after Chow Ming Hui’s (NYJC #3) return from the opposite corner. Melvin (HCI #7) cancelled out NYJC’s lead to deuce the match with a spike of his own. The match then went into a deuce at the 25-25 mark before HCI took home the set via a drop shot by Melvin (HCI #7) followed by NYJC spiking into the net.

HCI’s morale was on a high and were eager to take the next set. However, NYJC were keen to keep HCI at bay as well and they stormed to a 5-1 lead. However, good serves from Yu Chenxing (HCI #10) allowed HCI to catch up and level the scores at 8-8. HCI then took the lead, only to see the scores level again at 15-15 after mistakes within their camp.

The scores remained neck and neck, but HCI managed to hold a slender lead at 22-20 when NYJC called for a time out. It proved no reprieve as HCI took the next point, and were at match point after an ace from Melvin’s (HCI #7) jump serve. HCI took home the match, and the championship title after a well placed drop shot by Qing Shan (HCI #13).

Final Score
HCI 3 NYJC 0
(28-26, 27-25, 25-20)

Hwa Chong Institution Lineup
#1 Caleb Kan Jitchun
#3 Lee Jia Jun Glenn
#4 Wang Kuanhe
#5 Gwee Hanjie Kenneth (Libero)
#6 Liao Junxiong
#7 Goh Teng Kuan Melvin
#8 Gilbert Toh Wei Han
#9 Koh Zuo Quan
#10 Yu Chenxing (Captain)
#11 Lee Wayne
#13 Qing Shan
#17 Lee Jun De

Nanyang JC Lineup
#1 Darren Lim Jek Chong
#3 Chow Ming Hui
#4 Lee Yi Song Clarence
#5 Yeo Kai Shian
#6 Tan Yun Sheng
#7 Esmond Chiam Zhen Hao
#8 Muhammad Syafiq
#9 Lim Yi Kai
#11 Ng Zi Hao
#12 Ong Jun Feng
#13 Tan Jun Ze
#18 Johner Tham Kei Nam