Xinmin Secondary are C Division volleyball champions after defeating Fairfield Methodist

Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Pictures by Wong Hong Yong, Koh Yizhe and Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports. Video by Lai Jun Wei.

Yio Chu Kang Sports Hall, Tuesday, April 7, 2009 - Xinmin Secondary School won their first C Division Volleyball Championship since 2001 with a close 3-1 (25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 25-18) victory over Fairfield Methodist Secondary.

But it was Fairfield that had the better end of the opening rallies with Xinmin #11 serving into the net to start the match. It was the help that Fairfield needed as they burst to a 8-2 lead while Xinmin struggled to get settled.

But a series of good serves by captain Pai Hong Koon (Xinmin, #7) dragged his team back into the opening set to within two at 6-8. Fairfield responded with another two points that left the Xinmin coach with no choice but to call for a timeout with his side trailing by four.

It did wonders for the team as they began to string points together with Jasper Low (Xinmin, #1) and Pai Hong Koon supporting Xinmin with thunderous spikes and it wasn't long before they led at 19-17. Now, it was Fairfield's turn to be nervous as they called for a timeout to regroup.

Xinmin continued to maintain their lead over their opponents and soon found themselves at match point at 24-21 following a successful block from their #15. Although Fairfield were able to save two points through the spiking of their #5, teammate #10 undid all the good work when he sent a serve out to give Xinmin the first set at 25-23.

Xinmin started the second set with a vengeance as Jasper Low (#1) gave them the first point with an unstoppable spike. He did his defensive work as well with a perfect block to give Xinmin a 2-0 lead. The Xinmin #15 also got in on the action with a strong serve that Fairfield couldn't receive.

However, Fairfield fought their way back into the set and soon took the lead, forcing Xinmin to make a timeout as they trailed 7-11. Although they did level the match at 12-12 with Chai Ming Hwee (Xinmin, #11) tipping the ball over, Fairfield continued to extend their lead. Kok Kin (Fairfield, #18) was an asset to his side as his spike and drop shot gave Fairfield a 23-19 lead, prompting yet another timeout from Xinmin.

The timeout did little to change the direction of the set as Sidney Yip (Fairfield, #7) gave his side set point with an unstoppable spike. His teammate Aaron Tan (Fairfield, #1) then levelled the match with a block to give Fairfield the second set 25-21.

The starting of the third set mirrored that of the first as Fairfield, with the momentum from the second set, raced to a 8-2 lead. Once again, it was captain Pai Hong Koon (Xinmin, #7) who dragged his team to 6-8 with his spikes from the left.

Both teams seemed to match each other as the rallies began to become longer with Xinmin slowly but surely reducing Fairfield's lead. They finally caught up when Lim Joo Tai (Xinmin, #4) made a successful block to level the scores at 19-19 forcing the Fairfield coach to call for a timeout.

Xinmin then took the lead at 21-19 after identical spikes from Jasper Low (#1) and Pai Hong Koon (#7). This forced another timeout call from Fairfield as the game seemed to be slipping from them.

Although Hong Koon of Xinmin scored with another one of his thunderous spikes, he was helpless as Fairfield soon levelled the match at 22-22. This time, Xinmin called the timeout.

Following the timeout, Sidney Yip gave his side the all important 23-22 lead. Chew Zhi Yong (Xinmin, #2) then failed to control a serve after it hit his face, allowing his opponent to have set point at 24-22. That wasn't the end of the set however, as the unrelenting Hong Koon came to his team's rescue again with two powerful spikes to tie the set at 24-24.

It was now about who would slip up first and it proved to be Fairfield when their #11 knocked a free ball out giving Xinmin a 25-24 lead. Fairfield then failed to put the ball across as it hit the net to give Xinmin the third set at 26-24 and an overall 2-1 lead in the match.

The fourth started with Xinmin taking an early lead with Sidney Yip of Fairfield sending a spike out. His opposite number, captain Hong Koon continued his wonderful spiking, giving his side a 3-0 with two consecutive spikes.

Not many points separated the teams in this quarter as bad service began to plague the game. It was only until 17-17 that Xinmin began pulling away to 20-17 which forced a Fairfield timeout.

Despite that, Xinmin continued to extend their lead to 23-18. They were given set point when a Fairfield player was judged to have touched the net. Captain Hong Koon finished the match with another one of his thunderous spikes right down the middle to give Xinmin their C Division Volleyball Championship 25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 25-18.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJwxOfY9xYk

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 the captions accordingly. Thanks.