By Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports
Heng Yong Jie (#9) of NTU spikes the ball against Wang Kuanhe (#4) of SMU. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Singapore Institute of Management, Friday, September 19, 2014 — Nanyang Technological University (NTU) defeated Singapore Management University (SMU) 3–1 (20–25, 25–19, 25–19, 26–24) in the closing game of the Singapore University Games (SUniG) Volleyball Championship to finish in third place.
NTU completed their season with a 2–2 win-loss record, while SMU finished with a 1–3 win-loss record.
NTU took the early lead in the first set, but could not hold on to it as Wang Kuanhe (#4) sparked an SMU run to tie the game at nine apiece. Muhammad Syafiq (#8) had a sterling performance for SMU, setting up his teammates for several quality returns. SMU clinched the first set with a score of 25–20.
In the second set, NTU made up for their lacklustre performance through better plays on both ends. Benjamin Zhou (#6), Adam Yeo (#7) and Heng Yong Jie (#9) combined to form a solid defensive wall against the SMU returns. NTU never trailed as they won the set 25–19.
The third set produced a similar result, as NTU started the set with a 5–0 run to establish their momentum. SMU were not helped by their service errors, as they conceded several points to NTU’s cause.
In the decisive final set, Phua Wen Hui (#2) and Wang Kuanhe (#4) sparked a 13–5 SMU run with their spikes. However, NTU responded by rotating their taller middle blockers to halt SMU’s momentum. Most of the remaining points in the set were scored off individual errors from both teams.
With the set tied at 24 apiece, Heng Yong Jie (#9) was the hero for NTU, as he helped NTU to their final two points through his defence at the center line.
NTU captain, Heng Yong Jie (#9), said, “Our team is filled with a lot of new players, so we lack a bit of coordination. We took some time to get back into the game, and the game was easier to play when we began coordinating well with each other.”
The NTU student added, “Like any other new team, coordination is one of the most important factors and that is what we will work heavily on for the upcoming Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Games. We are planning to arrange more friendly games to equip our new players with more match experience. These will help build up our team spirit, which we are currently lacking.”
Score by set
NTU vs SMU
1st set: 20–25
2nd set: 25–19
3rd set: 25–19
4th set: 26–24
NTU Roster
Wong Ying Fu (#1), Kooi Wei Rong (#2), Benny Lau Zhen Bin (#3), Tan Ting Yong (#4), Lee Kim Lim (#5), Zhou Zhiyao Benjamin (#6), Adam Yeo Kok How (#7), Lim Ming Han (#8), Heng Yong Jie (#9), Choi Kar Kit Keith (#10), Goh Jun Rui (#11), Caleb Kan Jit Chun (#12), Lim Yong Ming Gerald (#17), Tan Jun Ze (#18)
SMU Roster
Hng Zhan Peng (#1), Phua Wen Hui (#2), Teo Yi Lun (#3), Wang Kuanhe (#4), Ho Chong Chieh (#5), Tan Kei Rong Benjamin (#6), Toh Yu Hern Emmanuel (#7), Muhammad Syafiq Bin Mohamad (#8), Gabriel Chong Xing Fa (#9), Chan Hang Yang Zack (#10), Wayne Lee (#11), Paesson Soh (#12), Lim Zi Shen Jacob (#13), Clarence Lee Wen Jin (#14)
SUniG Men’s Volleyball Championship – fixtures and results
More photos next page
Leave A Comment