B Division Girls’ Volleyball: Fairfield and Ngee Ann start national round with victories

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Presbyterian High School, Monday, February 28, 2011 — Fairfield Methodist School and Ngee Ann Secondary both notched a win in their respective Group C matches in Round One of the National B Division Girls’ Volleyball Championship.

Fairfield had to play to a third set to see off opponents Bukit Panjang Government High 2-1 (25-20, 18-25, 25-13) while Ngee Ann defeated Chung Cheng High (Yishun) 2-0 (25-17, 25-17).

It was a close match between the South Zone champions Fairfield Methodist and the West Zone second runners-up Bukit Panjang. There were several spectacular saves from the Bukit Panjang backline but Fairfield however kept attacking that backline, eventually causing them to break. Their persistence saw Fairfield take the first set 25-20.

Fairfield stepped up their game in the second set, with Jermaine (Fairfield #16) keeping up the pressure with her spikes. Her spikes to the short corners threw off Bukit Panjang’s momentum, but the latter overcame that to take the lead. As they pulled ahead, Fairfield were pressed to call a timeout. However, Bukit Panjang kept hold of their advantage and pulled further ahead, prompting another Fairfield time out at the 16-11 mark.

Fairfield began making several unforced errors and coupled with a strengthened Bukit Panjang defense, it was not long before Bukit Panjang sealed the second set 25-18.

Fairfield took the third set by storm as they blitzed ahead to lead 4-0. They quickly exposed the weaknesses in Bukit Panjang’s defenses and widened their lead. A stroke of bad luck at the 6-2 mark saw Bukit Panjang lose a player as their #8 injured her ankle and had to be substituted off.

The Bukit Panjang offense and defense were dealt a huge blow, but their flexible roster saw a capable player replace her place immediately. Bukit Panjang held on to narrow the gap to just one point, but Fairfield quickly reaffirmed their dominance to pull ahead once again.

At the changeover, Fairfield were in command of a six-point lead. Fairfield continued to increase their tempo, raking in point after point. Bukit Panjang on the other hand were unable to make a break, and had to contend themselves with watching Fairfield run off with the lead.

Fairfield soon saw themselves at match point after Lisa Lim’s (Bukit Panjang #17) serve went out of bounds. However, they were held off by Lee Shu Yuan (Bukit Panjang #15) who managed to steal a point with a spike from the opposite corner. Nevertheless, Fairfield quickly took home the last point after a spike from Jermaine (Fairfield #16) rolled into an empty spot after clipping the net.

The other game between Ngee Ann and Chung Cheng High also saw a close first set, but it was Ngee Ann who held on to the lead from start to finish. Chung Cheng managed to come to within one point of Ngee Ann at the 14-13 mark, but Ngee Ann then stormed ahead. They quickly finished the set after a service ace from their #6.

It was a slower start in the second set as both teams engaged in long rallies. The score was drawn level at several occasions, with Ngee Ann eventually breaking the stalemate to lead 15-11. However, they subsequently faltered and Chung Cheng came back into the game.

Ngee Ann did not allow Chung Cheng to stage an upset and pressed on to extend their lead. Their efforts soon paid off as they pulled ahead to lead 23-16 via a thundered spike from their #6. They then took match point after a bad set by Chung Cheng saw their spike fail to cross the net. Despite a fault in the next rally, Ngee Ann sealed the set 25-17 after a spike from their #6 was unreturned.

Final score
Fairfield 2 Bukit Panjang 1
(25-20, 18-25, 25-13)

Ngee Ann 2 Chung Cheng High (Yishun) 0
(25-17, 25-17)

For more photos, go to the next page.