HCI come from behind to beat ACJC in A Division girls’ volleyball final

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Woodlands Sports Hall, Friday, May 14, 2010 – Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) came from behind to beat Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) 3-2 (25-20, 20-25, 22-25, 25-9, 15-11), emerging champions of the National A Division Girls’ Volleyball Championship.

HCI completed a double as their Boys’ team clinched the title as well.

HCI had a good start as they took an early lead via several good serves from Lydia Seah (HCI #4). ACJC kept their chase on HCI and narrowed the score gap to three points at the second technical timeout. They leveled at the 16-point mark after good blocking from Chew Hui Min (ACJC #10). Both teams traded blows and the lead changed hands several times. But HCI pulled ahead at the final moments and took the set after ACJC deflected a serve by Cassandra Tay (HCI #5) out of bounds.

ACJC strived to continue their form and they surged forth to command an 8-2 lead in the second set. HCI were not going to let the deficit put them down and kept up the chase on ACJC. Despite HCI coming close, ACJC managed to pull ahead, and led 21-15 before a timeout was called by HCI. With the score at 23-17, HCI managed to take two consecutive points, but they gave ACJC set point after Cheryl Chan (HCI #2) spiked out from the outside. Krystal Goh (ACJC #18) unfortunately served out of bounds, but they took the set 25-20 when Cheryl (HCI #2) could not spike over.

It was a close start in the third set, but ACJC soon had the advantage. HCI were hot on the heels of ACJC. Leading 16-13 at the second technical timeout, HCI soon came within two points at the 20-18 mark, prompting a timeout by ACJC. HCI eventually leveled the score at 20-20 after seeing ACJC deflect Cheryl’s (HCI #2) spike. However, ACJC took the lead again after Cheryl (HCI #2) served out. ACJC eventually sealed the set after HCI’s drop shot attempt found the net.

Leading 2-1, ACJC were going all out to seal the match. They had a good start in the fourth set, only for HCI to level the score 6-6. ACJC suddenly fumbled, allowing HCI to turn the tables on them and blitzed ahead. ACJC suddenly had no answer to HCI’s attacks, and saw themselves trail 7-16 at the second technical timeout. ACJC substituted their main spikers off to rest them for the final set, and HCI took advantage of this, sealing the set 25-9.

In the final set, both teams gave it their all but it was HCI who gained the upper hand. At the changeover, they commanded an 8-4 lead over ACJC. ACJC never gave up the fight and pressed hard to catch up. In what seemed like déjà vu where the ACJC setter suffered a momentary cramp earlier on, HCI’s setter Cassandra Tay (#5) went down with injury at the 9-6 mark and had to be substituted off. The situation seemed uncertain but HCI affirmed their position, and pressed ahead to reach match point through a spike by Cheryl (HCI #2). HCI then sealed the match after an ace from Hazel (HCI #8).

Final Score
HCI 3 ACJC 2
(25-20, 20-25, 22-25, 25-9, 15-11)

Hwa Chong Institution Lineup
#1 – Kong Xin Ni
#2 – Cheryl Chan Cai Ting
#3 – Kristie Wong Sze Ni
#4 – Lydia Seah Kai Yun
#5 – Cassandra Tay Hwee Min
#6 – Grace Soh Hui En
#7 – Lee Ai Na
#8 – Woon Jing Wen Hazel
#9 – Chin Kelly (Captain)
#12 – Mavis Chua Kia Hoon
#15 – Adeline Tan Si Ling
#17 – Ng Wei Ting Stephanie (Libero)

Anglo-Chinese JC Lineup
#2 – Lee Yu Tong
#3 – Chen Kaixin Serene
#7 – Michelle Tham Mei Lian
#8 – Chiang Ying Chen Jacqueline (Captain)
#9 – Sabrina Quek Xin Zi
#10 – Chew Hui Min
#11 – Teo Mei Ting
#14 – Annabelle Su-Shyan Sunmugam
#15 – Low Jia Wen
#16 – See Wei Ni Dionne
#17 – Tan Hui Ting Robyn
#18 – Goh Qian Lei Krystal