Story by Carissa Tan/Red Sports. Photos by Clara Yuan/Red Sports
NYJC players block the spike attempt by DHS. (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)
PESEB, Friday, May 8, 2015 — Nanyang Junior College (NYJC) recovered from a shaky third set to triumph 3–1 over Dunman High School for the bronze medal in the National A Division Volleyball Championship.
Both teams started off strong and were closely matched in the first set. Powerful spikes from NYJC captain, Lim Zi Yang (#7), helped NYJC gain the lead as Dunman High players scrambled to block. Similarly, services and spikes from Lincoln Ng (#1) bolstered Dunman High’s attack.
While NYJC held onto the lead for the majority of the time, a few mistakes on their part allowed Dunman High to catch up. This forced NYJC to fight hard for a 33–31 victory in the first set.
After a difficult first set, NYJC were rejuvenated in the second set. They added three points on the board before Dunman High answered. NYJC sustained the lead throughout the set. They cruised to a 25–11 win in the second set as Dunman High attacks veered out of bounds.
Dunman High came back from a lacklustre second set to match NYJC point for point in the third set. By adopting a tighter defence, they were able to neutralise NYJC’s Lim Zi Yang temporarily. Each time an NYJC attacker attempted to spike, three Dunman High defenders rose to block the shot. This allowed Dunman High to clinch the third set 26–24.
Dunman High continued with this strategy in the fourth set. As a result, both teams were neck and neck on points till midway into the set. At 8—8, NYJC gained the upper hand and had their largest lead at 20–10 at one point.
While Dunman High continued fighting hard, the score deficit was simply too wide. With a 25—17 win in the fourth set, NYJC sealed their victory over Dunman High.
NYJC captain, Lim Zi Yang (#7), said, “It was a great game. At the start, we were leading by two sets and then they got one set back from us so it was kind of tense. But, in the end we still came back to win.”
DHS captain, Koh Zhe Wei (#2), commented, “It was a very new experience and I would say that I’m very satisfied with my team’s play today. It’s the first time we fought so hard and the first match we played till thirty plus points. So, really, I can’t express anything else for my team. They’re just really good.”
NYJC were the champion team last year. The final will be played at Yio Chu Kang Stadium on Wednesday, May 13, at 1.45pm. Last year’s first runner-up, Victoria Junior College, will go up against Hwa Chong Institution.
Scoring by set
NYJC vs DHS
1st set: 33–31
2nd set: 11–25
3rd set: 26–24
4th set: 25–17
NYJC Roster
Kenneth Lek Qi Yu (#1), Joel Toh Zi Yan (#3), Aylwin Lim Yang Wei (#5), Leonard Tan Lizhou (#6), Lim Zi Yang (#7), Sim Chee Ann (#8), Alvin Ong Wei Siang (#8), Alvin Ong Wei Siang (#9), Leow Xiang Kai (#11), Joseph Tan Guan Rui (#12), Leo Ding Wei (#13), Viresh Krishnan Sukumar (#15), Paul Tan Ming-En (#17)
DHS Roster
Lincoln Ng Jing Kai(#1), Koh Zhe Wei (#2), Benjamin Mok Kin Yong (#3), Timothy Teng Zheng Zhe (#5), Zhao Yunlong (#6), Chong Tze Tsung (#8), Ang Jian Kai (#12), Alvin Tan Jia Liang (#15), Gary Ng Teng Guan (#17)
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