Youth Olympic Volleyball: Singapore girls lose first match against mighty Peruvians

Story by Alan Chiang/Red Sports. Photos by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Saturday, August 21, 2010 — The Singapore girls lost their opening game against Peru in three straight sets 11-25, 13-25, 12-25, in the preliminary rounds of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) volleyball competition.

It was the opening match for both Singapore and Peru, but the host nation knew it was an uphill task to go against the Peruvians who stood at an average height of 1.8 metres. Moreover, Peru, also boasted a sixth-place finish at the 2009 World Youth Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

The Peruvian were ferocious right from the start of the match and needed just two minutes to lead the first set at 5-0 with Singapore managing to take their first point only after an unforced error by the Peruvians.

Singapore did occasionally contain their taller opponents and managed to snatch half of the first set points off Peru’s errors. Singapore also capitalized on their spikes and managed to hit double-digits even as they lost first set, 11-25.

Singapore began to find their feet as the game went on in the second set. The host nation took advantage of Peru’s errors as both sides went point-for-point for the first three minutes as the score deadlocked at 4-4. However, Singapore could do nothing to stop Peru from going on a 4-0 run to extend the lead to 8-4.

The situation got worse for Singapore as things sailed smoothly for Peru. There were a couple of good moments for Singapore but the Peruvians remained dominant to win the second set at 25-13 in 18 minutes.

Singapore was able to enjoy a brief lead early in the third set at 2-1 and it was again a tight contest between both sides in the opening stages. But Peru soon took control to claim a three-point lead at 8-5 after six minutes of play. Singapore started falling apart from that point on while Peru were ruthless with their powerful spikes. Eventually, Peru took the third set and the win, 25-12, and will be looking to complete a perfect record against Japan in their next match.

Singapore’s captain Joelle Lim (#1) was the nation’s best performer with six successful spikes. Joelle said after the game: “We are not as well-trained but we are very motivated by the supporters. I hope Singaporeans can recognize our efforts and continue to support us.”

Singapore’s coach, Low Ho Peng, commented: “The girls were nervous at the start but it is inevitable as the Peruvians boast an average height of 1.8 metres. The girls stood so much shorter at 1.68 metres. But the girls gave their best fight and it was not a bad performance.”

Supporters for the hosts’ next match will need to be at their full strength as they face another tough opponent, the reigning Asian champion Japan tomorrow, August 22nd, 10am, at Toa Payoh Sports Hall.

Final Result
Singapore 0 – 3 Peru
(11-25, 13-25, 12-25)

Singapore Lineup:
Joelle Lim Shu Yu (#1, Open Spiker), Tan Yi Ting (#2), Dorita Peng Yet Ting (#3, Setter), Cassandra Tay Hwee Min (#4, Setter), Marylyn Yeo Qian Lin (#5, Centre), Michelle Chia Kan An (#6, Subset), Loh Ling Ying (#7, Open Spiker), Cheryl Chan Cai Ting (#9, Centre), Ang Qi Hui (#10, Centre), Stephanie Ng Wei Ting (#11, Libero), Seah Siew Hoon (#12), Jacqueline Chiang Y. C. (#16, Centre)

For more photos, go to the next page.