Story by Jiexin Neo/Red Sports. Photos by Clara Yuan/Red Sports
Joeline Ang (RVHS #16) spikes the ball against Jasmine Tan (MJC #11). (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)
Physical Education and Sports Education Branch, May 2, 2014 — River Valley High School (RVHS) overcame a shaky start to defeat Meridian Junior College (MJC) 2–1 (20–25, 25–21, 25–16) in their final group game in the A Division Girls Volleyball Championship.
Both teams finished their season in the top eight and have been eliminated from the tournament.
At the start of the first set, both teams appeared to be warming up their game as the ball did not cross the net several times in a row. MJC managed to steady themselves after a few failed attempts and began to play their game. Midway through the set, MJC took on a 16–13 lead and went on a scoring streak to pull away to 21–13. From there MJC successfully won the first set 25–20.
MJC were looking for a win in the second set, but RVHS gained defensive composure and kept it there. Halfway through the set, MJC had ineffective team communication which did not allow them to connect well during their plays. As such they appeared to be uncoordinated and struggled to execute well-timed offensive moves. MJC found themselves 13–18 down at one point. Seeing that, Judy Koh (MJC #18) stepped up to make good serves and spikes, pacing MJC to eventually catch up to 21–22. Thereafter, MJC made a couple of defensive mistakes which gradually gave RVHS crucial points. RVHS took the second set 25–21.
After the break, RVHS dominated MJC with their spikes to grab the lead. RVHS were leading 3–2 and good team effort allowed them to score 11 unanswered points to pull away to 14–2. Thereafter, MJC tried to reduce the deficit with good defensive blocks from Heng Pin Xuan (MJC #17) but it was not enough as MJC could not find a breakthrough during attacks. Offensively MJC were limited by good defensive efforts from RVHS, especially from Ng Xi Wen (RVHS #7) who consistently block away MJC’s attempts with well-timed jumps at the net. Tam Si Man (#11) and Joeline Ang (#16) also paced RVHS’s offensive game with their spikes. RVHS proceeded to take the set 25–16.
RVHS captain, Si Man (#11), said, “It was quite fulfiling for us. Even though our first round fixtures were not as good, but we managed to fight into the top eight. I think in the first set we got abit messy during the game, but at least we managed to get back onto the tracks for the last two sets.”
Scoring by Set
MJC vs RVHS
1st set: 25–20
2nd set: 21–25
3rd set: 16–25
Meridian Junior College Roster
Chong Jia Hui Pearlyn (#2), Cheong Wen Yan (#3), Bernice Goh (#5), Fiona Poh Yee Yen (#6), Tan Yan Hui (#7), Chua Ming Rou (#8), Chia Te (#10), Jasmine Tan Shi Min (#11), Lam Leng Yen (#12), Lim Zhi Yu (#13), Gwyneth Cheng Jia Yi (#14), Doris Lau Jing Xin (#16), Heng Pin Xuan (#17), Koh Ru Yi Judy (#18)
River Valley High School Roster
Tan Shi Tong (#1), Lee Jia En (#2), Claire Lim Fen Hui (#3), Teo Jia Min (#6), Ng Xi Wen (#7), Chu Qin Fang (#8), Magdalene Yoap En Ying (#9), Heng Li Teng Stella (#10), Tam Si Man (#11), Chang Kei Rae (#12), Chew Yi Xian (#14), Tan Bao Xuan (#15), Ang Li Ting Joeline (#16), Lim Qi (#18)
More photos next page
How does a team get eliminated when they are in the top 8?
The teams got to the top 8 (Round 2) but did not qualify for the semi-finals after completing Round 2. That’s how they got eliminated.
How does a team not get eliminated when they are in the top 8? After all, a championship doesn’t stop at just top 8 positions.
“Both teams finished their season in the top eight and have been eliminated from the tournament.”
Very flawed statement.
“Very flawed statement.”
Very vague statement.
Explain.