Anderson Junior College overcome Victoria JC 3-1 to take third place in A Division boys volleyball

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.

CCAB, Friday, May 15, 2009 – It was a wake up call for Anderson Junior College when they lost to Victoria JC in their last encounter. But they proved their worth to make it to the semi-finals, only to fall to Hwa Chong Institution 3-0. This time round, Anderson JC were not going to let history repeat itself, as they overcame Victoria JC 3-1 (25-15, 17-25, 25-22, 25-22) in the 3/4th placing match of the A Division Boys Volleyball Championship.

With both teams raring to go, it was VJC who took the first point when AJC deflected a VJC serve out of bounds. A net touch by AJC saw VJC take the second point, only to have Kenny (VJC, #3) serve out. A spectacular dunk by VJC setter #2 ensured that the team got the next point, but he committed a ‘double’ while setting on the next rally to give AJC the serve. Ernest (VJC, #10) was then caught on the wrong footing on his spike, sending the ball out of bounds for the score to be tied at 3-3.

From then on, it was AJC who stepped on the pedal and roared ahead. AJC #7 served several good balls to bring the score to 7-3, leading VJC to call for a time out. Unfortunately, VJC’s resistance only impeded AJC temporarily as the latter quickly stormed to a 16-7 lead, forcing VJC to call for their second time out. Despite some strong willed attacks from VJC, there was simply no answer from them to AJC’s brutal attacks in the first set.

A few mistakes from AJC gave VJC some breathing space, but ultimately, a spike from AJC #10 from the outside that just clipped the line on the left side saw AJC at set point. VJC #7’s spike into the net from the outside gave AJC the first set 25-15.

VJC were not going to let the setback put them down as they went in full gear to fight for the second set. A spike into the net by Kenny saw AJC take the first point. But AJC #17 returned the favour when his spike also found the net. A series of errors from AJC saw VJC chalk up precious points, leading to a time out at 4-9. Ernest’s quick ball upon the restart found the net, breaking their momentum to give AJC the serve. Zi Wei’s (AJC #13) jump serve then clipped the back line to narrow the score gap to 6-9.

However, AJC committed many mistakes in this set, giving VJC a good chance to pull a lead. A time out was called by AJC at 11-18 after a touch-out by their player.

Upon the restart, it was VJC who was giving AJC the chance to catch up. Hot on their heels, AJC led VJC to call for a time out at 16-22 in a bid to break AJC’s momentum. Thankfully for VJC, there was not going be any upset in this set as they clinched the set with ease 17-25.

It was a tough third set as the scores remained tight with each team trying to outdo the other. A lead by one was quickly closed by the other right as tie after tie saw the score progress at a snail’s pace. The score remained close until AJC managed a two point lead at 11-9, only to have the VJC setter dunk the second touch to bring the score to 11-10.

VJC unfortunately stumbled at this crucial moment for AJC to pull a 15-10 lead. Zi Wei’s jump serves took several points, with VJC only managing to stop one of his attacks with a spike to an empty spot.

AJC were not going to let this stop them as they quickly took back service and continue their scoring streak.

Trailing behind, VJC were not going to give up, as they slowly but steadily closed the score gap, leading to a time out at 22-17. At 23-20, Zi Wei spiked into the net to deny his team the set point. A second spike that could not cross the net saw AJC’s lead reduced to just two points.

This time, AJC #10 spiked from the outside down the line to decisively bring his team to set point. However, they were held off by VJC’s outside spiker when he spiked through the block, AJC’s backrow unable to receive, to lead to one more time out by AJC.

At 24-22, AJC #11 hit a soft spike that went through the VJC blockers and landing in an empty spot saw AJC one more set up.

With the advantage, AJC were hoping to finish off the fourth set quickly and not have to go into the rubber. Supporters from both schools were trying to out cheer each other on the sidelines, encouraging on their players to fight for the win.

VJC were not going to let AJC have an easy win, and they put their point forth early in the fourth set, taking point after point in the opening minutes. AJC were not going to let their bad start to the set stop them, as they gave VJC a hard time in maintaining the lead.

VJC somehow could not stop AJC’s advances as the latter closed VJC’s lead to tie at 10-10, before snatching the lead from VJC. VJC pressed on to tie the game again at 13-13 and 15-15, but could only helplessly watch as AJC slowly gained an advantage over them.

At 20-17, VJC called for a time out in a bid to reorganise a last minute comeback, and they narrowed the score gap to just one point after capitalising on a few mistakes made by AJC.

With a final effort, AJC surged to game point after blocking an attack from VJC. However, VJC were going to give AJC a run for their money as VJC’s spiker forced a spike through AJC #10’s block to bring the score to 24-21. A miscommunication between the AJC setter and Zi Wei held off their win, as the setter committed a double when they clashed.

At the final rally, AJC #7 spiked from the opposite corner, which saw his ball find the net. It seemed like VJC had taken the point, but to their dismay, the ball rolled over the net and dropped right within the boundary to give AJC the win.

Final score: 3-1 (25-15, 17-25, 25-22, 25-22)

More photos in the gallery.

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.