By Tay Jun Wen/Red Sports
Tan Wen Xin (Ngee Ann #13) jumps and tries to block the kill by Jacqueline Lim (Dunman #12). (Photo 1 © Joseph Lee/Red Sports)
Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Friday, April 5, 2013 — Winning each set by just a few points, Dunman Secondary claimed the title by defeating Ngee Ann Secondary 3–0 (25–23, 25–21, 25–22) in the final of the National B Division Girls’ Volleyball Championship.
The first set was a close one with neither teams giving their opponents any chance to take a substantial lead. They tied at 4–4, followed by Dunman scoring two points and Ngee Ann responding with another. Leading 6–5, Dunman made three straight points. Still trailing by four points at 8–12, Ngee Ann reduced the deficit by scoring three unanswered points.
Leading 12–11, Dunman managed to score a point. However, Ngee Ann went on a five-point streak to lead 16–13. Ngee Ann’s Isabel Lim (#12) stood out as she competently faced the brunt of strong spikes from Dunman’s captain, Faith Chan (#7).
After a timeout by Dunman, they got their act together and scored three to even it up at 16–16. This caused Ngee Ann to call for a timeout. After that, both teams matched each other point for point up till 23–23. Dunman picked up a point and with a final spike from Faith (#7), Dunman won the first set 25–23.
Ngee Ann started the second set strong and took an early 4–1 lead by scoring three consecutive points after being tied at 1–1. Dunman reacted with a three-point run as well, tying at 4–4. Strong spikes from Isabel (#12) allowed Ngee Ann to inch ahead 8–6. But this was short-lived as Dunman had a three-point streak.
A timeout by Ngee Ann was not enough to break the momentum that Dunman were building. After the timeout, Dunman led 9–8 and extended their lead to 11–8. Ngee Ann managed to score a point but Dunman went on another five-point streak. At 16–9, Ngee Ann called for another timeout.
Coming back from the timeout, Dunman were not finished as they scored two more to have a comfortable 18–9 lead. From here, Ngee Ann began narrowing the deficit. Scoring three straight points, Ngee Ann trailed by six (12–18). Efforts from Dunman only saw them picking up a point, before Ngee Ann took another two. Another timeout was called by Dunman despite leading at 19–14.
Returning from the short break, Dunman scored a point. Meanwhile, Ngee Ann came close and went on a four-point streak to reach 18-20. To Ngee Ann’s dismay, Dunman maintained a two-point gap until 23–21. Dunman then scored two to win the second set 25–21.
The third set started with Ngee Ann taking a 3–0 lead. Still behind by three points at 1–4, Dunman scored five straight points to lead 6–4. Ngee Ann managed scored one but Dunman reacted with three more points, triggering a timeout by Ngee Ann at 9–5.
The four-point gap remained at 10–6. Dunman then extended their lead by having a four-point streak to lead by eight (14–6). Still lagging by eight points at 16–8, Ngee Ann scored five straight points to come close at 16–13. Timeout was called by Dunman but it did not seem to help. Dunman came back with a point before Ngee Ann went on their own four-point streak to finally even it up at 17–17.
To make matters worse, Dunman’s captain sustained a slight ankle injury and she was substituted out. The game was even until 21–21. Dunman went ahead by scoring another two more, causing Ngee Ann to call for a final timeout. Subsequently, Faith (#7) reentered the court and rallied her team towards victory.
Both teams scored a point each but a final failed block by Ngee Ann saw Dunman win the set 25–22 to become the new national champions.
“It was an exciting game. I felt that my team played quite well. Both (Dunman and Ngee Ann) of us were under the same coach so we trained together. It was more of the mentality as to who wanted to win it more,” Faith commented after her team won.
The last time Dunman were crowned champions was in 2010.
Faith also said that Ngee Ann were quite good opponents and the entire competition has been a fun journey which allowed her teammates to bond with their juniors.
“We’d probably be having a dinner to celebrate. Most of our team members are graduating and I hope they (juniors) will continue persevering on,” said Faith with a smile.
Over on the Ngee Ann side, their captain, Lim Hui Wen (#7), exclaimed: “What a pity it was!”
Hui Wen also said that since they (Dunman and Ngee Ann) trained together under the same coach, they knew Dunman quite well. With regards to today’s performance, she felt that her team’s attacking could be improved on.
“Our defence was okay today. We need to improve, mentality-wise,” said Ngee Ann’s vice-captain, Carol Hung (#2).
“They did not really spike as hard as we expected today. But their team spirit overtook us,” said Hui Wen with a sniff.
“You’re crying not because we lost but because it’s the last game and we’re graduating already, right,” Carol said meekly, poking fun at her captain. Both the captain and vice-captain laughed.
On a more serious note, Hui Wen thanked her coach Shen Ke Qin for his guidance. She made a special mention about her coach’s wife, Chen Yi Yi, who was her coach in C Division.
“Write that me and my whole team love them, okay!” said Hui Wen with a smile.
Score by Sets
Dunman 3 Ngee Ann 0
1st Set: 25–23
2nd Set: 25–21
3rd Set: 25–22
Dunman Roster
Ow Siew Jin (#1), Justina Ho Xue Ying (#3), Lee Jiamin (#5), Francesca Naila Dipoditiro (#6), Chan Hui Yi Faith (#7), Voo Pei Xuan (#8), Tiffany Tan Min (#9), Ashlyn Tan Ling (#10), Tee Yuen Qi (#11), Lim Fang Tian Jacqueline (#12), Leow Zi Yun (#13), Seah Wan Qi Gwendaline (#14), Teng Fang Hui (#15), Ng Shi Hui Celine (#18)
Ngee Ann Roster
Phua Kai Le Karyl (#1), Hung Ka Yee Carol (#2), Lim Si En Cheryl-Ann (#5), Lim Hui Wen (#7), Koh Hui Bing (#8), Ho Xin Ru Celine (#10), Chen Kah Wai (#11), Isabel Lim Ai Shan (#12), Tan Wen Xin (#13), Kwang Yi Juin (#14), Vivian Chia Jia Yi (#15), Toh Jing Wen (#16), Lim Wen Qi (#17)
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