Nanyang Girls’ overcome Chung Cheng High (Yishun) in C Division volleyball semi-final

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Presbyterian High School, Thursday, April 1, 2010 - Nanyang Girls' High held off a determined Chung Cheng High (Yishun) to progress into the National C Division Girls’ Volleyball Championship final. It was a close encounter, with Chung Cheng refusing to submit without giving Nanyang a run for their money. Nanyang eventually prevailed 3-2 (25-13, 23-25, 25-11, 18-25, 15-12).

Nanyang had an easy first set and notched their first point. They had also started well in the second set to look certain to clinch their place in the final. However, they squandered away their lead for Chung Cheng to steal the set. Chung Cheng were all fired up in the third set and blitzed to an early lead. Nanyang had no answer to Chung Cheng and the latter sealed the set.

Nanyang started the fourth set shaky in their play still, with half-hearted attempts blotching their play. However, with the realisation that much was at stake, Nanyang summoned the strengths within them to force the match into a fifth set. Everyone was on the edges of their seats as the match was neck-and-neck. Nanyang had an initial scare as Chung Cheng built a sizeable lead towards the end of the match. However, Nanyang pressed on and overtook Chung Cheng to steal the set and the match.

1st set
Chung Cheng were unable to organize a return in the first rally for Nanyang to take the point. However, Yan Ning (Chung Cheng #1) sent a light spike to take one for the team. Goh Jia Min (Nanyang #1) then spiked from the outside down the line to take back service. As both teams got warmed up, Nanyang blitzed to a 12-6 lead. Nanyang found their attacking form and pressured Chung Cheng.

Time outs at the 12-6, and 20-11 mark by Chung Cheng were not enough as Nanyang were soon at set point after a good serve by Jenies Foo (Nanyang #2). Nanyang then took the first set after a spike from Koh Yiying (Nanyang #6).

2nd set
Nanyang were all fired up to take the second set as well. Jia Min (Nanyang #1) took the first out after her spike was deflected out by Chung Cheng. Chung Cheng couldn't organize a return, and Nanyang were two points up. Nanyang continued their scoring streak, and Chung Cheng called for a time out at the 6-0 mark after Jenies (Nanyang #2) scored an ace.

Yan Bing (Chung Cheng #12) spiked to the corner after the restart to break Nanyang's run. However, Nanyang were unfazed and continued raking in points. After several good serves from Jenies (Nanyang #2), Nanyang commanded a 20-12 lead. It seemed like Nanyang would take the second set with ease, but Chung Cheng started to make a comeback.

Lax defending in the Nanyang camp saw Chung Cheng take several points to close the score gap. There were several half hearted attempts, and awry one-handed receives which gifted Chung Cheng points. Chung Cheng made an incredible comeback from an eight-point deficit to eventually tie the game at 23-23. They stole the lead from Nanyang after the latter was unable to receive a serve. Chung Cheng then sealed the set after Nanyang were unable to receive their spike.

3rd set
After squandering away the second set, Nanyang were looking not to let history repeat itself. With the score leveled at 3-3, Nanyang went all out to take the lead. Their efforts paid off as they gradually increased their lead from 9-5 to 24-11, having managed to keep Chung Cheng at bay at the 11 point mark for several rallies. Gwyneth Teo (Nanyang #8) took home the third set after spiking off Wen Ting's (Chung Cheng #5) block to see the ball go down into Chung Cheng's front row.

4th set
Chung Cheng started playing a more defensive game, forcing Nanyang to commit errors on their own. Nanyang took an early 4-2 lead, but complacency soon crept into their game once again. Chung Cheng, playing in a relaxed mode, soon caught up and tied 8-8 with Nanyang, prompting a time out. At times, the Nanyang coach had to holler to one of her players to get back into position or go for the receive.

The atmosphere was tense, and Chung Cheng pulled away to lead 16-11 after mistakes by Nanyang. Nanyang had no answer to Chung Cheng and could not muster a significant comeback. Failure to return the ball on two occasions saw Chung Cheng lead 21-16. Chung Cheng took set point after Gwyneth (Nanyang #8) deflected Chung Cheng's spike out of bounds. Yan Ning (Chung Cheng #1) then stuffed out Aow See's (Nanyang #3) spike to seal the set.

5th set
With the chance at entering the final at stake, both teams were giving it their all. Trying hard to overcome fatigued, both teams kept the match close, with the score gap as thin as a thread. With the score at 5-5, Gwyneth (Nanyang #8) committed a net touch for Chung Cheng to lead. Wen Ting (Chung Cheng #5) subsequently blocked Gwyneth's spike for Chung Cheng to increase their lead.

Jia Min (Nanyang #1) then spiked a cross court ball to the corner to narrow the score gap only to have Wen Ting (Chung Cheng #5) block Nanyang's free ball attempt at the net by setter Jenies (Nanyang #2). At the changeover, Chung Cheng led Nanyang by two points. Nanyang however leveled the score at 8-8 following Chung Cheng's spike which unfortunately went out of bounds, and a spike by Gwyneth (Nanyang #8) going into an empty spot.

Chung Cheng were playing it safe, with Yan Ning (Chung Cheng #1) choosing to tap the ball across rather than going for the kill. With the score at 9-9, Nanyang were unable to organize a return on two consecutive occasion for Chung Cheng to see themselves at 12-9.

A time out by Nanyang was called for a last minute intervention. Chung Cheng were on a high as they had entered the match as the underdogs. Yet, they seemed like they would make an upset and earn themselves a well deserved place in the final.

However, Yan Ning (Chung Cheng #1) spiked into the net upon the restart, followed by a drop shot by Jia Min (Nanyang #1) to see Nanyang draw to within one point of Chung Cheng. A time out by Chung Cheng was called, but Nanyang drew level after a spike from Yiying (Nanyang #6).

Chung Cheng deflected Jia Min's (Nanyang #1) spike out of bounds, and Nanyang was finally in the lead. Another time out by Chung Cheng was called. But Nanyang saw themselves at match point after Fiona (Chung Cheng #7) touched-out Nanyang's serve.

Jia Min (Nanyang #1) sealed the match for the team after she saw Chung Cheng unable to receive her spike.

Nanyang Girls will meet defending champions Cedar Girls in a mouth-watering final on Thursday, 8 April, 3pm at Woodlands Sports Hall.

Chung Cheng High (Yishun) will play Dunman Secondary in the 3/4th placing match on Wednesday, 7 April, 1.30pm at CCAB.

Final Score
Nanyang 3 Chung Cheng 2
(25-13, 23-25, 25-11, 18-25, 15-12)