Singapore Youth score 3-0 victory against Singapore Schools in volleyball invitational

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Saturday, May 29, 2010 — The Singapore Youth team (SIN) defeated Singapore Schools (SS) 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-22) in a Group D preliminary round match of the Volleyball Association of Singapore’s Volleyball Invitational Championships 2010.

The Singapore Youth team, which is also the nation’s Youth Olympics Games squad, have now qualified for the semi-finals and will play the University of Santo Tomas alumni team (UST) from the Philippines for top spot in their group. The Singapore Schools team, on the other hand, is third in the group, and will play in the 5th and 6th placing match against either the Thailand Youth team or the Volleyball Association of Johor Bahru team.

Singapore Youth started the first set strongly, leading 8-2 by the first technical time out. Despite Singapore Schools being hot on their heels, Singapore Youth continued holding a comfortable lead over their opponents till the second technical timeout.

Things started to change from then on as Singapore Schools started their catch up. They came to within two points of Singapore Youth at 16-14, only for the latter to pull ahead once again. Singapore Youth then went ahead and took set point after Kong Xin Ni (SS #7) was unable to receive Michelle Chia’s (SIN #6) serve. Singapore Youth then took the set after Samantha Tan’s (SS #5) spike from the centre went out.

Singapore Youth continued their rampage in the second set as they blitzed to an 8-1 lead. Singapore Schools overcame their shaky start and tried to make a comeback. They came close to Singapore Youth at 13-10, but the latter pulled ahead to lead 16-11 by the second technical timeout. Singapore Schools simply could not over their opponents and conceded 13-25 to Singapore Youth.

The first rally in the third set saw Joelle Lim (SIN #1) sending down several powerful spikes into Singapore School’s court. However, a miscommunication saw Singapore Youth unable to get the ball across, giving Singapore Schools the first point. Singapore Youth kept a slender lead over Singapore Schools and were leading by three points by the first technical timeout. They kept up the pressure and extended their lead to six points by the second technical timeout.

However, Singapore Schools were not going to give up easily and fought back through attacks from Joan Lim (SS #9) and Kong Xin Ni (SS #7). Captain Cheryl Chan (SS #3) was on hand to receive several of Singapore Youth’s strong spikes, preventing her opponents from scoring points. They came close to trail by two points at the 22-20 mark, leading to Singapore Youth to call for a timeout.

Singapore Youth libero Stephanie Ng (#11) was unable to receive Jaime Lee’s (SS #8) serve on the restart, allowing Singapore Schools to draw even closer. However, Xin Ni (SS #7) spiked out for Singapore Youth to extend their lead once more. Joelle (SIN #1) brought the team to match point after a spike from the centre.

Joelle (SIN #1) then executed a spectacular rescue in the next rally, chasing down a loose ball to send it back to Singapore School’s court. However, it went out of bounds for Singapore Schools to take a point. Joelle sealed the match after she spiked down towards the Singapore Schools libero Hong Jia Yi (#12), who deflected it out of bounds.

Final Score
Singapore Youth 3 Singapore Schools 0
25-17, 25-13, 25-22

Singapore Youth
Lim Shu Yu Joelle (Captain #1), Tan Yi Ting (#2), Peng Yet Ting Dorita (#3), Tay Hwee Min Cassandra (#4), Yeo Qian Lin Marylyn (#5), Chia Kah An Michelle (#6), Loh Ling Ying (#7), Chew Hui Zhen Sophia (#8), Ang Qi Hui (#10), Ng Wei Ting Stephanie (Libero #11), Seah Siew Hoon (#12)

Singapore Schools
Eleanor Chua Chih Yin (#1), Lee Dai Yi (#2), Cheryl Chan Cai Ting (Captain #3), Lim Hui Tien (#4), Samanta Tan Yifen (#5), Estella Bu Qian Lin (#6), Kong Xin Ni (#7), Jaime Lee Jia Xin (#8), Joan Lim Yee Ting (#9), Wu Hui Minn Ryshire (#10), Farahiyah Bte Esuope (#11), Hong Jia Yi (Libero #12)

Invitational Fixtures (Women’s)
Day 3 Sunday (30/5)
Match 5 12:30 – 15:00 Women’s Preliminaries Pool C
VAJB (Malaysia) vs TNT (Singapore)

Match 6 15:30 – 18:00 Women’s Preliminaries Pool D
Singapore Youth vs UST (Philippines)

Day 4 Monday (31/5) NB: Timing is subjected to change
Match 7 12:30 – 15:00 Women’s Semi-Final 1
C 1st vs. D 2nd

Match 8 20:30 – 23:00 Women’s Semi-Final 2
D 1st vs. C 2nd

Day 5 Tuesday (1/6)
Match 9 12:30 – 15:00 Women’s 5th & 6th C 3rd vs. D 3rd

Match 10 15:30 – 18:00 Women’s Bronze
Loser SF1 vs. Loser SF2

Day 6 Wednesday (2/6)
Match 11 09:00 – 11:30 Women’s Final
Winner SF1 vs. Winner SF2

For more pictures, go to next page