Bukit Panjang to meet St Hilda’s in U13 boys volleyball final

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Hougang Sports Hall, Tuesday, November 30, 2010 – St Hilda’s Secondary and Bukit Panjang Government High have booked a place in the U13 Boys National Junior Volleyball Championship 2010 final after winning their respective semi-final matches. St Hilda’s overcame Xinmin Secondary 2-0 (25-18, 25-18) whereas Bukit Panjang defeated Dunman Secondary 2-0 (25-14, 25-15).

In the first semi-final match, St Hilda’s exerted their dominance as they stormed off to an early 6-1 lead. St Hilda’s executed many well placed balls, which saw Xinmin scrambling to return. It was not for long before St Hilda’s took a 13-5 lead. However, Xinmin was not going down without as fight as they put up good play and forced several points into rallies. Despite narrowing the score gap, they were unable to hold St Hilda’s for long as the latter surged ahead to set point after Xinmin were unable to return the ball. Despite St Hilda’s serving the ball out of bounds in the next rally, they sealed the set on their next rally after the St Hilda’s #9’s cross court spike went unreturned.

Xinmin started the second set on a more equal footing. They overcame their jitters in the first set to pull a fast one over St Hilda’s, registering an early lead. However, St Hilda’s soon caught up and turned the tables on Xinmin. They started on a scoring blitz, and notched several points in succession as Xinmin struggled to find a response. Despite Xinmin calling for time-outs, it was not sufficient to break St Hilda’s scoring run, and the latter soon found themselves with a 20-11 lead. Xinmin were not going down without a fight, and tried hard to stay in the game by denying St Hilda’s crucial points. However, their valiant efforts were put to naught as St Hilda’s sealed the match with a 25-18 win.

Final score
St Hilda’s 2 Xinmin 0
(25-18, 25-18)

In the second semi-final, Bukit Panjang started off well as they stormed off to an early 7-2 lead. Dunman had problems organizing and Bukit Panjang capitalized on this, working to extend their score advantage. By the 17-10 mark, Dunman called for a time-out, but it was not enough to stop Bukit Panjang from continuing their scoring streak as they soon found themselves leading 23-11. A time-out by Dunman at this point seemed to work in favour of Dunman as they managed to take two consecutive points off Bukit Panjang. Dunman however served the ball out of bounds to gift Bukit Panjang set point. The Dunman #3 managed to hold off Bukit Panjang for another point as his spike down the line was unreturned. Daryl Chai (Bukit Panjang #6) stopped Dunman from having any chance in prolonging the set when he spiked off their block to seal the last point.

The second set saw Bukit Panjang continue their dominance as they took an early 7-0 lead. Despite a time-out by Dunman, it was of no reprise as they continued their rampage via several serves from Daryl (Bukit Panjang #6). Dunman called for another time-out at the 16-6 mark, but could not stop Bukit Panjang from establishing a 20-11 lead. Chua Yizhe (Bukit Panjang #5) contributed several points for the team, as Dunman struggled to find an answer to the team’s attacks.

Dunman refused to let Bukit Panjang have an easy win, as they fought hard to hold Bukit Panjang at the 20-point mark. Despite the constant pressure from Dunman, Bukit Panjang edged towards match point. Bukit Panjang finally saw themselves leading 24-14 after Dunman was unable to organize a return. Despite managing to hold off Bukit Panjang for another point, the latter sealed the match after Daryl’s (Bukit Panjang #6) spike from the outside was unreturned.

Final score
Bukit Panjang 2 Dunman 0
(25-14, 25-15)

St Hilda’s will now fight it out with Bukit Panjang in the final of the U13 Championships at 12pm. Xinmin on the other hand will play Dunman in the 3rd/4th placing match at 10am. Both matches will be held at Hougang Sports Hall.

Editor’s note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates in any of the photos, please feel free to leave the names behind in the comments section and we will update accordingly. Thanks!