Ngee Ann win U13 girls volleyball final; Anderson take third place

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Hougang Sports Hall, Saturday, December 4, 2010 – Ngee Ann Secondary edged out Dunman Secondary 2-0 (26-24, 29-27) in a nail-biting encounter to win the U13 Girls National Junior Volleyball Championship 2010 final. In the earlier 3rd/4th placing match, Anderson Secondary pipped Jurong Secondary to the honours after winning 2-0 (25-20, 25-19).

The first set started off slow as both teams found it hard to keep their serves in. Control of serve was changing hands point after point as players were serving out of bounds. The teams soon found their footing and started giving each other a run for their money. It was no easy walk in the park for either team as they fought to keep the scores close with their spikes and drop shots. It was certainly a match worthy for a final as their play kept everyone on the edges of their seats. Screams from the supporters echoed the hall as the score edged forward point by point. Ngee Ann managed to command a slender lead, breaking free from Dunman midway to extend it to 17-13.

However, Dunman were not going to be put down so easily as they staged a comeback. Several strong serves from the Dunman #12 brought the team back into the game as they levelled the score 18-18. The match continued with the scores tied neck and neck. Ngee Ann were not going to allow Dunman to turn the tables on them, and pulled forward to reach set point after Dunman was unable to return the ball. However, a quick counter-attack by Tiffany Tan (Dunman #6) delayed Ngee Ann’s win. Dunman took the next point, and the game was subsequently brought into a deuce after a miscommunication in the Ngee Ann camp gifted Dunman a point. Ngee Ann fought hard and gained the advantage before sealing the set 26-24 with a decisive block.

The second set continued to be a close fight between the two teams. Ngee Ann managed to grab a 9-5 lead, prompting Dunman to call for a time out. Dunman went all out to stay in the game, levelling the scores at the 13-point and 14-point mark. However, Ngee Ann pulled ahead to grab the advantage. Dunman were not contented at being left behind, and pulled a fast one over Ngee Ann to steal the lead. They extend their lead to three points at 22-19, but it was short lived as Ngee Ann quickly came clambering back to tie the game 23-23. However, Dunman took set point after a Ngee Ann spike went out of bounds. Unfortunately, the latter were unable to convert their set point after Gwennie Seah’s (Dunman #14) spike found the net. Dunman took set point again only to see it saved by Ngee Ann. The match continued with the scores tied at 27-27, but this time, it was Ngee Ann’s turn to steal set point after seeing a Dunman player deflect their serve out of bounds. There was no chance for Dunman to make a comeback as Ngee Ann sealed the match after deflecting their serve off a Dunman player.

Final score
Ngee Ann 2 Dunman 0
(26-24, 29-27)

In the earlier match between Anderson Secondary and Jurong Secondary for 3rd/4th placing, Anderson held on to beat Jurong. After a long rally, Anderson were unable to return the ball to let Jurong take the first point. However, they quickly chalked up a healthy lead against their opponents to lead 8-4, prompting a time out from Jurong. Fierce serves from Brooke Lim (Anderson #3) allowed Anderson to increased their lead to 11-4, but mistakes by their team allowed Jurong back into the game. A serve by Sheryl Chua (Jurong #6) which saw Anderson unable to return saw Jurong level the scores 15-15. However, Sheryl’s next serve went out of bounds for Anderson to regain the lead. Jurong were unable to catch up after that, and saw Anderson pull ahead to take the set 25-20.

In the second set, Jurong managed to keep the scores close for the first few points. Anderson were not going to be outdone easily, and pulled ahead to lead 13-9. Both sides however, seemed to be plagued by service errors. Coupled with several unforced errors, it made it difficult for Jurong to catch up. Jurong were not going to give up easily, and fought hard to stay in the game. They narrowed the score gap to two points to trail 15-17, only to see Anderson pull ahead again. Several times, Jurong came close to levelling the scores, but almost always lost the chance as Anderson continued to keep their advantage. Anderson soon saw themselves at match point after a bad set saw Jurong unable to spike across. They then took the match after miscommunication in the Jurong camp saw the ball unreturned.

Final score
Anderson 2 Jurong 0
(25-20, 25-19)

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!