Lim Dao Liang (HCI #13) spikes from the outside. He was the match top scorer with 24 points scored via 22 kills, 1 block and 1 service ace. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Wednesday, May 9, 2012 — Three-time defending champions Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) put up a brilliant effort against favourites Nanyang Junior College (NYJC) to successfully defend their crown and win the A Division Boys’ Volleyball Championship title for the fourth consecutive time. HCI won the Final 3-2 (18-25, 25-21, 25-15, 23-25, 15-7).
At their last meeting in the group stages, NYJC had beaten HCI 2-0 to qualify for the semi-finals top of the group. In the semi-finals, they swept aside Anderson JC 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-17) while HCI had to labour to a 3-2 (25-27, 23-25, 25-16, 25-17, 16-14) win over Anglo-Chinese JC.
Throughout the competition, NYJC had not dropped a single set and had been touted as the favourites to take the crown this year. They seemed to be on track to do so when they cruised to a 25-18 victory over HCI in the first set, setting the path for a NYJC double champions achievement right after their girls’ team won the A Division Girls’ title earlier. However, they were in for a surprise subsequently as HCI pulled out all stops to prevent NYJC from staging a win.
HCI scored a combined total of 73 points from 60 kills 11 blocks and 2 service aces. NYJC managed 67 points via 47 kills, 15 blocks and 3 service aces. HCI’s Lim Dao Liang (#13) emerged as the top scorer with 24 points scored via 22 kills, one block and one service ace.
NYJC was on a morale high after their win in the first set, but they dropped their first set of the season when HCI took the second set 25-21. HCI managed to break NYJC’s defense and took the lead from the start. Timeouts by NYJC at the 15-11 and 22-19 marks could not overcome the deficit for HCI to win.
NYJC experienced a further drop in form in the third set when they gifted many points to HCI through unnecessary unforced errors. They were soon trailing 12-18 with HCI further increasing their lead.
HCI widened their gap to 23-12 and despite NYJC taking three points in quick succession, Bryan (HCI #3) took set point with a spike from the outside. Dao Liang (HCI #13) then sealed the set when his spike from the back court was deflected out of bounds by NYJC.
NYJC managed a comeback in the fourth set as they took the lead. HCI managed to level at the 10-point, 16-point, 17-point, 22-point and 23-point marks but NYJC managed to reach set point after Wilson (NYJC #10) forced a touch out. A spiking error by Bryan (HCI #3) gave NYJC the set to force the match into a rubber.
But despite both teams being level with two sets each, HCI seemed to be experiencing a good run whereas NYJC were finding it hard to establish a decisive lead. Earlier in the first set, NYJC had managed to roof several HCI attempts but were subsequently unable to stop HCI’s attacks.
HCI stepped up their game in the fifth set and blitzed ahead to lead 5-2, prompting a timeout by NYJC. However, their scoring streak continued and led 8-3 at the changeover.
NYJC continued to find trouble breaking past the HCI defense and were soon trailing 6-13. It seemed like a lost cause for NYJC as HCI pressed forward and sealed the match when Darius Seow (HCI #12) successfully blocked Johner (NYJC #5).
Final score
HCI 3 NYJC 2
(18-25, 25-21, 25-15, 23-25, 15-7)
HCI Team Roster
Tin Jing Jie (#1), Lee Han Ying (#2, Libero), Bryan Chua Kun Han (#3), Max Yoong Pao Aun (#4, Libero), Ong Shaw Shian (#6), Yeo Wei Ren, Aden Ang Ming Cheng (#8, Captain), Joshua Lay Kwang Sheng (#9), Wong Xian Lun (#10), Darius Seow Kiat Ming (#12), Lim Dao Liang (#13), Oh Yong Tai (#17)
NYJC Team Roster
Or Jin Hong Gabriel (#1), Lee Yu Jie (#2), Chew Yuxi (#3), Toh Hong Meng (#4, Libero), Johner Tham Kei Nam (#5), Adalric Ng Pin Tan (#6), Wu Di Yuan (#7), Lee Xuheng Wayne (#9, Captain), Wilson Ker Wee Leong (#10), Teo Si Jing (#12), Li Jiayun Marvin (#13), Tann Yi Kai (#17)
Hwa Chong Institution vs Nanyang JC - Match Statistics
| Points scored (Total) | Kills | Hit Errors | Blocks | Block Errors | Service Ace | Service Fault | Defensive Errors | Unforced Errors | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HCI Team Totals | 73 | 60 | 28 | 11 | 13 | 2 | 6 | 15 | 0 |
| Lim Dao Liang (#13) | 24 | 22 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Bryan Chua (#3) | 14 | 14 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Darius Seow (#12) | 11 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Ong Shaw Shian (#6) | 9 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Tin Jing Jie (#1) | 10 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Aden Ang (#8) | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Max Yoong (#4, Libero) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 7 | 0 |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| NYJC Team Totals | 67 | 46 | 24 | 15 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 25 | 8 |
| Johner Tham (#5) | 21 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Wilson Ker (#10) | 13 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Tann Yi Kai (#17) | 11 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Wayne Lee (#9) | 10 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Gabriel Or (#1) | 8 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Chew Yuxi (#3) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Marvin Li (#13) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Toh Hong Meng (#4, Libero) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 6 | 0 |
Johner Tham (NYJC #5) spikes from the opposite. (Photo 2 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
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