Presbyterian High thrash Hillgrove in U-16 volleyball

Story and photos by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.

Hougang Sports Hall, Sunday, November 9, 2008 – Presbyterian High (Red) whitewashed Hillgrove Secondary 2-0 (25-4, 25-12) in a Round 2, Group X match at the 2008 National U-16 Girls Junior Volleyball Championship.

Featuring players from last year’s U-16 championship winning team and this year’s B Division champions, few would expect Presbyterian High (PHS) to have much difficulty overcoming their opponents.

PHS did not flex their muscles right at the beginning of the game. Rather, they chose to start things slow, building up a slow but steady lead. They chose to endure rallies, winning them to take points via their outside and opposite spikers. Strong as they may be, they were not without their faults as little errors allowed Hillgrove to earn a few points.

However, PHS #5 gave no mercy as she served up several good balls to build up a substantial 13 point lead for PHS. The set eventually ended 25-4 in favour of PHS.

The second set saw Hillgrove try to put up a challenge to their stronger opponents. Hillgrove #7 opened the game with a good serve, which saw a touch out by PHS. However, her next serve went out of bounds to bring the score to 1-1. Both teams were relatively equal in the first few points of the game. PHS made several blunders which saw Hillgrove climb up in terms of score. At the 20-8 point mark, Hillgrove’s setter dunked a ball which caught PHS off guard to bring the score to 20-9.

PHS however quickly took back the lead and PHS setter #7 served a ball which forced a touch out from Hillgrove to bring the score to 22-9. But her next ball found the net, giving Hillgrove another point.

Hillgrove’s serve was easily picked up and organised to PHS #3 for the attack. Her choice of a light tap over rather than a spike saw the ball glide out of bounds in the opposite corner. The next serve from Hillgrove went directly at the PHS libero. However, she was unable to receive the ball properly and it flew out of bounds.

With the spirit of champions, PHS made the final burst towards the win. PHS #1 spiked from the outside, the ball brushing the Hillgrove blocker and right into the centre of the Hillgrove court. PHS #5 brought the game to a game point when her serve just clipped the net and descended rapidly into Hillgrove’s court, catching the players unaware.

The last point was won with an ace from PHS #5 as her serve down the line to the right corner of the Hillgrove court just clipped the boundaries to remain ‘in’.

Final score: 2-0 (25-4, 25-12)

Hillgrove, though having lost this match can hold their heads up high knowing that they have put in their best to face the herculean task of beating the champions. PHS on the other hand have topped Group X and secured a place in the semi-finals.

Editor’s note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates in any of the photos, please feel free to leave the names behind in the comments section and we will update the captions accordingly. Thanks!