By Zachary Foo/Red Sports

Serene Ng (BP #18) was a crucial factor in leading Bukit Panjang to their first C Division title. (Photo 1 © Zachary Foo/Red Sports)

Yio Chu Kang Sports Hall, Wednesday, August 27, 2014 — Bukit Panjang Government High (BP) clinched its first ever National C Division Girls’ Volleyball title with a comeback 3–2 win (8–25, 25–17, 12–25, 25–16, 15–12) over Cedar Girls’ Secondary (CG). Bukit Panjang trailed 4–8 in the final set, but came back all the way to win the decider 15–12.

The first set was all Cedar Girls’. They went on a 5–0 run to start the set, with Astrid Lee (CG #12) punctuating it with an emphatic block at the net. Bukit Panjang looked tentative at this point and it showed in their return game.

Chan Yao Yi (CG #4) continued their strong form, fueling another 5–0 run for Cedar Girls’ with her service play. Serene Ng (BP #18) was the lone bright spark for Bukit Panjang in the set, as her spikes were able to win some points back for her team. However, Cedar Girls’ took the first set 25–8.

The second set saw the momentum shift in favour of Bukit Panjang. Unable to start off the set with their service, Cedar Girls’ struggled to kill off plays in the set. This meant that Bukit Panjang were able to hold their serve for a large proportion of the set.

The match up at the net was between Astrid Lee (CGS #12) and Serene Ng (BP #18) as both players looked to block each other’s spikes. After a shaky first set, Serene (BP #18) came back stronger in the second. Her strong spikes made it hard for Cedar Girls’ to return easily. This allowed Bukit Panjang to take the second set 25–17.

Ong Yanning (CG #2) and Chan Yao Yi (CG #4) were the key contributors for Cedar Girls’ in the third set, as their blocks helped earn their team crucial points throughout the set. Each time Bukit Panjang threatened to kill off a play with a spike, both players would find a way to block it.

This preserved the Cedar Girls’ serve throughout the set, allowing them to take advantage of their strong service play. Cedar Girls’ eventually took the set 25–12 to put them in a 2–1 lead.

With their backs against the wall, Bukit Panjang came out for the fourth set seemingly composed. They then reeled off an 8–1 run to start the set. Cedar Girls’ again found themselves in trouble on the receiving end, as the spikes of Serene Ng (BP #18) and Rachel Chan (BP #4) gave them problems.

Up 19–12, Bukit Panjang started to set up Serene (BP #18) for more spikes to seal the set. Serene (BP #18) came through for them, clinching the set and tying the game at 2–2.

Coming down to the final set, Cedar Girls’ looked to have the early advantage as they started with their serve. They would make the most of it, racing out to an 8–4 lead. However, it all started to unravel for them from there.

Bukit Panjang showed their grit, fighting back all the way to tie the game at 11–11. After the timeout, two spikes by Serene Ng (BP #18) gave her team a 13–11 lead.

This forced Cedar Girls’ to call another timeout in a bid to cool the situation. However, this did not prove successful. Serene (BP #18) was able to pull off the game-winning block, helping her school to their first-ever C Division title.

Bukit Panjang captain, Serene Ng (#18), said, “I feel very happy as it is the very first title for the C Girls. It was an amazing experience. We continued to fight no matter what happened and when we came back, we put pressure on Cedar. As long as we didn’t give up, Cedar Girls’ did not have a chance. I hope that we will able to repeat as national champions in the B Division.”

Scoring by Set
Cedar Girls’ Secondary vs Bukit Panjang Government High
First set: 25–8 (1–0)
Second set: 17–25 (1–1)
Third set: 25–12 (2–1)
Fourth set: 16–25 (2–2)
Final set: 12–15 (2–3)

Cedar Girls’ Secondary Roster
Ong Yanning (#2), Chan Yao Yi (#4), Nikki (#5), Daphne Low (#6), Divya (#7), Lee Jia Ying (#8), Lee Lyi Shuenn (#9), Chloe Wang (#10), Astrid Lee (#12), Boh Zexuan (#13), Tsu Jia Yi (#15), Saw Lin Min (#16), Yeo Jing Yi (#17)

Bukit Panjang Roster
Tiffany Ng (#2), Rachel Chan (#4), Lexin Ng (#5), Kailing Tan (#6), Valerie Kang (#7), Cindy Cheng (#8), Nayli Imani Binte Jumari (#9), Yeo Eng Teng (#10), Liying (#11), Ng Joleen (#12), Aditi Raman (#14), Clarissa Tan (#15), Alice Puah (#16), Serene Ng (#18)

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