B Div Vball (Girls): Anderson beat Ngee Ann to qualify for first ever championship final

Presbyterian High, Friday, March 30, 2012 — Anderson Secondary qualified for their first ever National B Division Girls’ Volleyball final when they beat Ngee Ann Secondary 3-1 (23-25, 25-15, 25-21, 26-24) in the semi-finals.

Ngee Ann had been the one who started off on a good note as they pulled ahead to lead 15-12. Anderson were left to play catchup and despite managing to tie 19-19, saw Ngee Ann pull ahead once again to win the set 25-23.

Anderson shook off their slow start and took the advantage in the second set. Ngee Ann called for a timeout after trailing 8-3 but could not stop Anderson from further extending their lead. Soon Anderson were leading 24-14 after good blocking by Jolly (Anderson #4). Anderson subsequently sealed the set after a spiking error from Ngee Ann.

Anderson repeated their form in the third set as they pulled ahead to lead 7-2. Ngee Ann tried hard to catchup but were continuously held at bay by Anderson. Despite managing to narrow the score gap, they were unable to turn the tables against Anderson and were trailing 21-24 after a service error. Anderson took the last point after a spike from Jolly (Anderson #4).

The fourth set was a much closer fight as Ngee Ann gave it their all to prevent Anderson from having an easy win.

The teams were tied 11-11 until Anderson managed to break away to hold a narrow lead. Anderson managed to gradually increase their lead to 23-17 but Ngee Ann were not beaten just yet. Anderson found themselves held at the 23-point mark and saw their six-point lead eroded to just one after errors allowed Ngee Ann to close in 22-23.

Wen Xin (Ngee Ann #13) managed to even the odds for the team after her spike was deflected out of bounds by Anderson. Lee Ting (Anderson #1) took the lead for Anderson once again but a bad return in the next rally saw the score tied 24-24.

After an intense rally, Cally (Anderson #16) took a gamble and sent a cross court drop shot within the 3m zone. It paid off as it narrowly clipped the line for Anderson to take the lead.

As Anderson took control of serve, they fired off a shot which seemed destined to go out of bounds. Ngee Ann chose to receive, but was unable to handle the ball properly, eventually giving Anderson the final point.

Anderson now qualify for their first ever championship final and will take on Presbyterian High to attempt a historic victory on Tuesday, April 3 at Toa Payoh Sports Hall.

Cedar Girls will play Ngee Ann Secondary on Monday, April 2 in the 3rd/4th placing match.

Final Score
Anderson 3 Ngee Ann 1
23-25, 25-15, 25-21, 26-24

For more photos, go to the next page.