Asian Schools Volleyball: Singapore lose out on semi-final berth after falling to Hong Kong 3-0

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports in Da Nang, Vietnam

Tien Son Sport Complex, Wednesday, August 24, 2011 — Singapore missed out on a semi-final berth after falling to Hong Kong 0-3 (22-25, 22-25, 14-25) in their final Group B preliminary match of the Asian Schools Girls Volleyball Championship.

They had lost to Iran 3-0 in their first match before seeing off Macau 3-0 in their second match. A win over Hong Kong would have sent them through but defensive errors plagued their play. Hong Kong now progress to face Group A winners China, while Group B winners Iran will face Group A runner-up Thailand in the semi-finals.

The Singapore team gave away 21 valuable points to their opponents through unforced errors (hit errors, service faults, ball handling errors). Their defensive errors also accounted for 21 points, and with nine failed blocks, the team lost a staggering 51 points to Hong Kong.

Head coach Mr William Chua commented on the team’s performance. “It is certainly very disappointing. We could have won, we should have won. We made too many defensive errors today regardless in the first set, second set or third set. But Hong Kong’s service was very good. Our team had difficulty returning [the serves].

There were a few shots which I think dented the team’s morale, especially the one in the third set. But I think right now, we need to go back and analyze where we went wrong today.”

At the 20-12 mark in the third set with Hong Kong leading, Singapore had thought that a serve from Rachel Lau (Singapore #6) was an ace and came together to celebrate. However, it was a celebration too early as Hong Kong managed to make a last ditch save to send the ball into an empty spot in Singapore’s court.

But Singapore did not have a particularly good start. Unforced errors in the first few rallies allowed Hong Kong to lead 8-4 by the first technical time-out. Singapore’s woes continued after the restart when Jolly (Singapore #5) could not get to To Wing Man’s (Hong Kong #17) serve.

Hong Kong kept up their momentum and raced off to a 11-4 lead, prompting a time-out from the Singapore bench.

Upon the restart, the team could not get back service as a free ball was sent out of bounds.

Hong Kong then had a brief streak of errors which allowed Singapore to narrow the score. However, a time-out at 13-8 brought them back on track as they continued with the lead.

By the second technical time-out, Singapore were trailing by five points at 11-16.

After a substitution by Singapore at the 20-16 mark with Rachel Lau (Singapore #16) coming on for Jolly Chan (#5), the team managed a short scoring spurt and quickly narrowed the gap to two points to trail 19-21.

Ryshire Wu (Singapore #2) then narrowed that gap to just one point after a service ace.

Ong Weiyu (Singapore #3) capped off Singapore’s comeback after a left-handed spike from her went unreturned by Hong Kong. With the scores tied 21-21, Singapore unfortunately could not turn things around as Ryshire (Singapore #2) sent her serve out of bounds.

Singapore were unable to stop Hong Kong from taking set point, and eventually conceded the last point as Hong Kong sealed the set 25-22.

The start of the second set was a closer affair as both teams found themselves neck and neck. Singapore had taken an early lead, but Hong Kong managed to close the gap and level the scores 7-7. Lim Chien Wen (Singapore #9) managed to take the lead for Singapore once again after placing a well executed drop shot.

Singapore continued on with their momentum and extended their lead. However, Hong Kong were persistent. Singapore would pull ahead, only for Hong Kong to level the score at the 11-point, 12-point, 17-point, 19-point and 21-point marks.

Chien Wen (Singapore #9) took the team closer to set point with a straight ball down the opposite side, but a net touch by Singapore allowed Hong Kong to level at 22-22.

A defensive error by Singapore at the next rally saw Hong Kong take the lead, prompting a time-out from Singapore.

Singapore were unable to reverse their fortunes as they had to watch Hong Kong steal the lead after a service ace from To Wing Tung (#4). The team then lost the last point after 27 minutes of play after a net touch by a player.

In the third set, Hong Kong continued their winning streak as Singapore continued to be plagued with defensive errors. By the first technical time-out, Singapore were trailing six points at 2-8. Despite managing to claw their way back to trail 8-12, they could not stop Hong Kong from running away with the lead to eventually establish an eight point lead at the 18-10 mark.

A time-out by Singapore could not turn the team around particularly after several morale-denting rallies.

Hong Kong were soon leading 23-13 after two consecutive receive errors from Singapore. They were then at match point after stuffing out a spike by Ong Weiyu (Singapore #3).

Hong Kong found themselves having to hold their celebrations momentarily after Hilary Tam (Hong Kong #14) sent her serve out of bounds. But the match lasted not much longer as Singapore returned the favour as they served the ball out to give Hong Kong the last point.

Chef de Mission Mr Lim Yan Hock said after the match, “I think the more confident team won [in the end]. I think that we were very close to winning the second set. If we had won, our confidence would have been there.”

On what he think went wrong, he shared, “I think it’s the stress on the players knowing that a semi-final spot was at stake. If they had won, they would progress into the semi-finals. So this built up the tension and anxiety. Of course, I thought that there were one or two judgement calls which were a bit controversial.”

He continued, “But nevertheless, I think the way the team has played is good, their spirit and all. It has been a good team, a good fight overall. It would have been good if they had progressed, but I’m still pleased because they have put up a good fight.”

Final Score
Hong Kong 3 Singapore 0
(25-22, 25-22, 25-14)

Match highlights

Singapore vs Hong Kong - Match Statistics (Singapore team)

Team Roster (Singapore)
Eleanor Chua (#1), Ryshire Wu (#2), Ong Wei Yu (#3), Hong Jia Yi (#4, Libero), Jolly Chan (#5), Cassandra Tay (#7, Captain), Lim Chien Wen (#9), Pua Le Jie (#10), Claira Ng (#11), Clarrissa Hon (#12), Rachel Lau (#16), Lim Zi Qing (#18)

Starting Lineup
First set: (Singapore to serve)
Cassandra Tay (Setter, Position #1), Eleanor Chua (Centre, Position 2), Jolly Chan (Open Spiker, Position 3), Lim Chien Wen (Subset, Position 4), Ryshire Wu (Centre, Position 5), Ong Weiyu (Open Spiker, Position 6)

16-20 (IN: Rachel Lau OUT: Jolly Chan)

Second set: (Macau to serve)
Ong Weiyu (Open Spiker, Position 1), Cassandra Tay (Setter, Position #2), Eleanor Chua (Centre, Position 3), Jolly Chan (Open Spiker, Position 4), Lim Chien Wen (Subset, Position 5), Ryshire Wu (Centre, Position 6)

22-22 (IN: Clarrissa Hon OUT: Ryshire Wu)

Third set: (Singapore to serve)
Cassandra Tay (Setter, Position #1), Eleanor Chua (Centre, Position 2), Jolly Chan (Open Spiker, Position 3), Lim Chien Wen (Subset, Position 4), Ryshire Wu (Centre, Position 5), Ong Weiyu (Open Spiker, Position 6)

11-19 (IN: Rachel Lau OUT: Jolly Chan)

Team Roster (Hong Kong)
Law Ho Fung Thyllis (#2), Chan Shuk Fan (#3), To Wing Tung (#4), Cheung Shuk Yan (#5, Libero), Koo Yung Yung (#6), Fung Tsz Yan (#7), Mui Pik Sum (#9), Chan Hou Yee (#10), Poon Hiu Ling (#11, libero), Lai Lok Chi (#12, captain), Tam Ho Yan Hilary (#14), To Wing Man (#17)

Tournament fixtures
Day 4 Thursday (25/8)
Semi-finals
2pm – China vs Hong Kong
3.30pm – Iran vs Thailand

Day 5 Friday (26/8)
Final
2.30pm – Semi-final Winner 1 vs Semi-final Winner 2

Note: All timings reflected are in Vietnam local time. Vietnam is ONE hour BEHIND Singapore.
There will be no 3rd/4th placing playoff.

For more photos, go to the next page.