Story by Jiexin Neo/Red Sports. Photos by Lim Yong Teck and Clara Yuan/Red Sports

National A Division Volleyball Victoria Junior College Nanyang Junior College

Claire Teo (VJC #12) spikes against NYJC. VJC won the match 3–1 to clinch the National A Division Volleyball Championship title. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)

Toa Payoh Indoor Sports Hall, Wednesday, May 14, 2014 — Victoria Junior College (VJC) beat Nanyang Junior College (NYJC) 3–1 (20–25, 25–17, 25–20, 25–17) in the National A Division Girls Volleyball Championship to emerge champions.

Both teams last met in the second round, where VJC went down 0–2 to NYJC. NYJC came in second last year, while VJC finished in third place.

This is VJC’s first championship title for the National A Division Girls Volleyball.

Not more than two points separated NYJC and VJC at any one time in the first set. NYJC took on the largest lead of three points midway through the set (17–14). A timeout later saw VJC chase the points to draw even at 17–17. They brought the tie to 19–19 but NYJC scored three points straight to lead 22–19. VJC scored one after a timeout, but their defensive mistakes allowed NYJC to take it 25–20.

Claire Teo (VJC #12) led her team’s offensive plays with strong spikes in the second set. On the other hand, Jolene Chan (NYJC #16) stayed strong on defence, consistently blocking VJC’s attacks at the net. VJC were leading 15–13, when NYJC’s string of mistakes on court allowed VJC to score seven points straight to push their lead to 22–13. It was then 24–17, and Claudia Tan’s (VJC #18) good block at the net allowed VJC to ice the set 25–17.

VJC started off the third set with good defensive efforts, with Wang Kai Qi (#10) and Cally Lim (#16) diving for the ball to make saves. Cally (#10) played with an alert defence throughout the set, securing crucial points for her side. VJC led most of the game and were 23–20 up, when spikes from Claire (VJC #12) and Claudia (VJC #18) allowed VJC to clinch a second win (25–20).

NYJC could not seem to find their touch early into the fourth set and their attacks mostly landed out of bounds. This gave VJC an early build-up of points and they took on a 6–1 lead. Vanessa Lim (NYJC #10) secured crucial points for her side as she denied VJC’s spikes on a few occasions with well-timed jumps.

VJC were determined to take their third win and earned a 9-point lead (18–9) with good team effort. NYJC tried to reduce the deficit by stepping up on their game and managed to outscore VJC 8–6, but it was too far gone as VJC led 24–17. Kai Qi’s (VJC #10) spike was blocked out of bounds by the NYJC defenders to seal the set 25–17 to emerge champions.

VJC captain, Cally (#16), said, “It was amazing because we created history in VJ. I’m very proud of my girls, and very proud of my school. It was a good fight from NY. We came back stronger to win this.”

Scoring by Set
NYJC vs VJC
1st set: 25–20
2nd set: 17–25
3rd set: 20–25
4th set: 17–25

Nanyang Junior College Roster
Ong Qiu Luan (#2), Ong Qiu Feng (#3), Cao Aijia (#4), Teo Hui Yuh (#5), Teng Yan Ning (#6), Ho Shing Chian Juliana (#7), Lim Zhi Yi Vanessa (#8), Jean Choo Mun Mun (#9), Lim Wan Yong Vanessa (#10), Lau Ee Shan (#11), Lim Fang Tian Jacqueline (#12), Leow Soh Koon Ferlicia (#14), Chan Wan Lin Jolene (#16), Chan Tin Wing (#18)

Victoria Junior College Roster
Nicole Tay Yi Shen (#2), Lim Ying Ying (#3), Seet Seow Hwee (#6), Isabel Sia Kai Lin (#8), Kwek Jia Hui Rochelle (#9), Wang Kai Qi (#10), Cheong Ming Kylin (#11), Teo Wen Qi Claire (#12), Goh Jiahui Jan (#13), Lim Yun Jing Cally (#16), Lee Xiang Qi Denise (#17), Tan Ying Xuan Claudia (#18)

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