Johor Bahru beat NYJC 3-1 in volleyball invitational

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Saturday, May 29, 2010 — The Volleyball Association of Johor Bahru (VAJB) beat Nanyang Junior College (NYJC) 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 22-25, 25-18) in a Group A preliminary round match of the Volleyball Association of Singapore’s Volleyball Invitational Championships 2010.

The match was a closely contested one with both teams starting neck and neck. Tan Jun Ze (Nanyang #13) opened the scoring with a spike down the line from the outside. However, Chua Kuang Hua (VAJB #7) responded with a spike of his own. It was a tit-for-tat set as the teams edged forward point by point. By the first technical time out, VAJB held a two point lead over NYJC.

However, VAJB soon started to pull ahead, leaving NYJC with no answer to their attacks. By the second technical time out, VAJB commanded a 16-9 lead over NYJC. Service errors by NYJC saw them waste several chances at scoring. Having fought hard to gain control of service, it was certainly disappointing to see them lose these golden opportunities.

Nevertheless, the score deficit did not put NYJC down as they fought hard to close the gap. They came to within three points of VAJB at 23-20, making sure their opponents did not have an easy set. However, VAJB soon brought themselves to set point after Kuang Hua’s (VAJB #7) spike from his team mate’s earlier fake move caught n off guard. But they denied themselves a quick win when Kuang Hua (VAJB #7) served into the net. But it was Lau Wee Sen (VAJB #2) who took the last point after spiking off NYJC’s block.

The second set was a close one as well. Despite NYJC trailing by four points at the first technical time out, they quickly levelled the scores and kept the game close. NYJC then turned the tables on VAJB as they stole the lead and went ahead to lead 13-11. VAJB was not easily put off and tied the scores before taking the lead once more. Despite eventually leading 22-15, NYJC held VAJB at bay, taking several consecutive points. After several hard fought rallies, VAJB finally took set point. After receiving a light serve by Lim Yi Kai (NYJC #9), Tan Jian Yue (VAJB #16) went for a quick ball, smashing it into NYJC’s court. NYJC continued the fight, with Clarence Lee (NYJC #4) spiking to the left corner to hold off VAJB’s win. VAJB finally sealed the set after a cross court spike by Lee Qi Hao (VAJB #17).

VAJB was firmly in the lead at the start of the third set. NYJC was hot on their heels, and their persistence paid off when they levelled 15-15, and again at 16-16. NYJC then went ahead to lead, forcing VAJB to call for a time out at the 18-16 mark. After two spikes out of bounds by VAJB, NYJC saw themselves with a comfortable lead.

VAJB were not going down so easily and went ahead in a bid to steal the set. They fought hard and came within one point of NYJC at 23-22, prompting a time out from NYJC. Johner Tham (NYJC #18) brought the team to set point after VAJB couldn’t return his spike. NYJC then sealed the set after VAJB couldn’t return the ball.

It was a close start to the fourth set as well. However, VAJB were going all out to prevent an NYJC comeback, and pulled a 12-6 lead. Things remained the same till the second technical time out with VAJB leading 16-10.

NYJB were not about to give up so easily and fought hard to keep VAJB at bay. A block by Johner (NYJC #18) of Jian Yue’s (VAJB #16) drop ball saw them narrow the score gap to trail 23-17. However, a quick ball by Kuang Hua (VAJB #7) brought the team to match point. But VAJB’s inability to organise an attack on the next rally saw them gift the point to NYJC. Kuang Hua (VAJB #7) then sealed the match for the team after a spike from the centre.

Final Score
VAJB 3 NYJC 0
25-21, 25-20, 22-25, 25-18

Volleyball Association of Johor Bahru
Chee Yong Chiang (Captain, #1), Lau Wee Sen (#2), Ng Hong Ping (#3), Lee Long Yeh (Libero, #4), Ng Peng Long (#5), Hoe Ban Seng (#6), Chua Kuang Hua (#7), Lo Sea Wah (#8), Lee Teck Peir (#9), Ng Aik Wei (#10), Pee Kok Yaw (Libero, #11), Teo Wei Shen (#12), Tan Jian Yue (#16), Lee Qi Hao (#17), Foong Yung Chien (#18),

Nanyang Junior College
Darren Lim Jek Chong (#1), Chow Ming Hui (#3), Lee Yi Song Clarence (#4), Yeo Kai Shian (#5), Tan Yun Sheng (#6), Esmond Chiam Zhen Hao (#7), Muhammad Syafiq (#8), Lim Yi Kai (Captain, #9), Kenneth Yeow Kok Fai (Libero, #10), Ng Zi Hao (#11), Ong Jun Feng (#12), Tan Jun Ze (#13), Lew Voon Jin Eugene (#17), Johner Tham Kei Nam (#18)

Invitational Fixtures (Men’s)
Day 3 Sunday (30/5)
Match 5 10:00 – 12:30 Men’s Preliminaries Pool B
Hwa Chong Institution vs St Hilda’s Secondary

Match 6 Men’s Preliminaries Pool A
Match 6 18:30 – 20:30 Men’s Preliminaries Pool A
Punggol Secondary vs Volleyball Association of Johor Bahru (Malaysia)

Day 4 Monday (31/5) NB: Timing is subjected to change
Match 7 15:30 – 18:00 Men’s Semi-Final 1
A 1st vs. B 2nd

Match 8 18:00 – 20:30 Men’s Semi-Final 2
B 1st vs. A 2nd

Day 5 Tuesday (1/6)
Match 9 10:00 – 12:30 Men’s 5th & 6th A 3rd vs. B 3rd

Match 10 18:00 – 20:30 Men’s Bronze
Loser SF1 vs. Loser SF2

Day 6 Wednesday (2/6)
Match 11 11:30 – 14:00 Men’s Final
Winner SF1 vs. Winner SF2

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