A Division Boys’ Volleyball: Hwa Chong Institution bounce back from brink of defeat to overcome Nanyang JC in semi-finals

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

CCAB, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 — There will be no replay of last year’s final. Defending champions Hwa Chong Institution came back from the brink of defeat to edge out Nanyang Junior College 3-2 (24-26, 25-15, 23-25, 25-18, 15-12) in a five-set thriller at the A Division Boys’ Volleyball semi-final. Last year, Hwa Chong saw off Nanyang JC at the final, but for this year, they will face Anderson JC, who beat Victoria JC 3-1 (25-20, 28-26, 21-25, 26-24) in the other semi-final. Hwa Chong will be making their third consecutive appearance at the championship final, and will also be gunning for their third title in a row.

Johner Tham (NYJC #5) started off the match by taking the first point for his team. Hwa Chong on the other hand took time to settle in as NYJC scored several points via powerful jump serves from Esmond Chiam (NYJC #7). Hwa Chong were finally given a breather when Esmond sent his serve into the net. HCI started making their comeback to steal the lead, and it was a close match from then on. With the score tied 23-23 NYJC managed to win by a hair’s breadth as they snatched the first set 26-24.

Things were very much different in the second set as Hwa Chong started flexing their muscles. They stormed to an early 7-2 lead, prompting a time out from NYJC. NYJC managed to make a short revival, but were stopped short as Hwa Chong surged ahead to capture the second set 25-15.

NYJC held on to their slender lead in the third set. Despite Hwa Chong coming close, NYJC would almost always managed to pull ahead. At the 23-20 mark, NYJC promptly called for a time out call to reorganise to team for the final push towards the finish. However, mistakes from the team saw Hwa Chong close the gap to just one point, prompting another time out call by NYJC. NYJC managed to prevent HCI from levelling the score when they took set point. However, a quick ball from Gilbert Toh (HCI #8) denied NYJC the next point. Lim Yi Kai (NYJC #9) subsequently sealed the set for his team with a spike from the outside to prevent an upset from Hwa Chong.

It was a do-or-die set for Hwa Chong as they went all out to win. Realising the importance of the set, they gathered themselves and pulled ahead to lead 10-5. As a sign of how intense the match had become, the entire court was cleared out midway as players from both teams were led to the washroom to dry off their jerseys which were causing wet patches on the floor everytime the players slid. NYJC were unable to stage a comeback as Hwa Chong stormed ahead to leave NYJC in their wake. Soon, Hwa Chong were in a commanding lead at 24-17. Melvin Goh’s (HCI #7) service woes continued as he sent his jump serve out of bounds again for NYJC to take another point. However, NYJC returned the favour as they served out of bounds for Hwa Chong to take the set.

In the rubber set, things continued to heat up as both teams kept the score neck and neck. At the changeover, Hwa Chong were in command of a slender two-point lead. Despite this, it soon became anyone’s game when NYJC levelled the score 11-11. Hwa Chong managed to take the lead and took match point at 14-11 after a spike off the NYJC block. However, a bad return saw NYJC come back into the game once again. With Esmond Chiam (NYJC #7) up next on serve for NYJC, it seemed like there was a chance that NYJC would level the score and force the match into a deuce. However, he chose to fire off a jump-float instead. The ball was picked up by Hwa Chong, who passed it to Qing Shan, who then forced a touch out off Nanyang’s blocker to seal the match for Hwa Chong.

Final score
24-26, 25-15, 23-25, 25-18, 15-12

Hwa Chong will now play Anderson JC in the championship final on Wednesday, May 11 at Toa Payoh Sports Hall while NYJC will play Victoria JC in the 3rd/4th placing match on Thursday, May 5 at CCAB.

For more photos, go to the next page.