A Division Boys’ Volleyball: Hwa Chong Institution hold off Anderson JC to emerge champions for third time running

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Wednesday, May 11, 2011 — Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) had something to cheer about as they retained the A Division Boys’ Volleyball Championship crown for the third year running after beating Anderson Junior College (AJC) 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-22).

Melvin Goh (HCI #7) anchored his team’s win with 21 kills to emerge as top scorer for the match. HCI had a total of 47 kills while AJC put up 23. However, the match was still a close one especially in the early half. In the first set, both teams were tied at several occasions as both teams sought to break the other’s defenses.

Unforced errors caused HCI to lose several points, with AJC levelling the score 18-18. Teo Tee Hao (AJC #11) then fired off an ace to take the lead for AJC. However, HCI were quick to bounce back and regained the lead. They soon brought themselves to set point after a spike from the outside by Koh Zuo Quan (HCI #9). HCI then took the last point when Peh Geng Lin’s (AJC #13) spike from the back court found the net.

The second set was also a closely contested affair as both teams remained level on the score board. Midway, HCI managed to pull a fast one over AJC and established a four-point advantage to lead 19-15. A time-out call by AJC was unable to stop HCI from romping ahead as they surged ahead to eventually lead 23-19.

After an intense rally, Geng Lin (AJC #13) found an opening and sent his drop shot to the HCI back court which was unguarded. However, the ball went out of bounds to gift HCI set point. HCI were then gifted the final point after a spike from AJC went out of bounds.

With two sets in the bag, HCI gathered themselves to make the final push in the third set. They quickly pulled ahead, and were leading 17-13 midway into the match. AJC did not going to give up and their efforts paid off when they soon found themselves one point away from levelling the score at 17-17 after successfully blocking Melvin’s (HCI #7) spike from the outside. AJC then found themselves level with HCI after Melvin’s (HCI #7) second spike went out of bounds.

AJC then turned the tables on HCI and went ahead to establish a three-point lead. Unwilling to allow the match into a fourth set, HCI gathered all their strength and fought back to close in at 20-20, with Qing Shan (HCI #3) bagging the point after a strong spike from the outside. A time-out call by AJC was not sufficient to stop HCI’s mini-comeback as Qing Shan (HCI #3) took the lead back for his team with a spike from the outside.

With AJC hot on their heels, HCI managed to break the stalemate to hold on to their one-point advantage at the 23-22 mark after a dunk from setter Caleb Kan (HCI #1). A quick-ball from captain Gilbert Toh (HCI #8) set HCI up at match point. HCI then finished up the set after sending in a strong spike to AJC who could not organise a return, gifting HCI the final point and the championship trophy.

Final Score
HCI 3 AJC 0
25-21, 25-20, 25-22

Key Statistics [Kills, Blocks, Service Aces]
Melvin Goh (HCI #7) — [21, 1, 1]
Qing Shan (HCI #3) — [7, 1, 3]
Gilbert Toh (HCI #8) — [8,-,-]
Gary Cheung (AJC #15) — [10,-,-]

HCI Team Roster
Caleb Kan Jit Chun (#1), Qing Shan (#3), Max Yoong Pao Aun (#4, Libero), Liao Jun Xiong (#6), Goh Teng Kuan Melvin (#7), Gilbert Toh Wei Han (#8, Captain), Koh Zuo Quan (#9), Bryan Chua Kun Han (#10), Lee Wayne (#11), Lim Dao Liang (#13), Aden Ang Ming Cheng (#14), Ting Jing Jie (#17)

AJC Team Roster
Loh Jun Ren (#3), Low Yong Han (#4), Yap Kian Jun (#7), Koh Hong Da (#8), Choi Kar Kit Keith (#9, Libero), Goh Xi Quan (#10), Teo Tee Hao (#11), Teng Kok Weng (#12), Peh Geng Lin (#13), Gary Cheung Wan Yang (#15), Dominique Chow Jun Jie (#16), Tan Yong Ri Sean (#18, Captain)

For more photos, go to the next page.