Ngee Ann thrash Sembawang Secondary in U-16 volleyball

Story by Lai Jun Wei and reader Claira Ng. Photos by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.

Hougang Sports Hall, Sunday, November 9, 2008 – Ngee Ann Secondary beat Sembawang Secondary 2-0 (25-10, 25-5) in a Round 2, Group X match at the 2008 National U-16 Girls Junior Volleyball Championship last week.

The first set started off with two service aces by Ngee Ann for a quick 2-0 lead. The Ngee Ann #10 took the next point with a powerful spike down the court, but their scoring streak stopped short when they subsequently served into the net.

However, Ngee Ann took back service when Sembawang #2 failed to recover from a Ngee Ann spike. Ngee Ann’s spikes were lethal, raking up several points to give the team a commanding 10-3 lead.

At the 14-5 mark, the Ngee Ann #3 and #1 tried to get the ball, but just fell short, allowing Sembawang to take a point. However, the Ngee Ann #11 aced with her fast serves down the court to bring the game to 17-7.

Ngee Ann were soon at match point, Fiona (Ngee Ann, #17) scoring the last point for her team with a spike from the outside that the Sembawang #17 and #16 struggled with, wrapping up an easy first set for Ngee Ann 25-10.

Carolyn (Ngee Ann, #12) spiked successfully to the back court to continue Ngee Ann’s dominance in the second set and a subsequent net touch by the Sembawang #17 gave Ngee Ann a 2-0.

The spiking combination of Carolyn (Ngee Ann, #12) and Fiona (#17) soon gave Ngee Ann a huge lead. Their teammates, the Ngee Ann #10 and #12, also overcame whatever defence Sembawang could put up against them.

However, Sembawang were not disheartened by the large gap. They put in their best and attempted to receive all of Ngee Ann’s attacks. But unfortunately for them, they couldn’t retrieve several balls and committed a few touch outs as well.

Fiona (Ngee Ann, #17) served up 10 consecutive balls to bring her team from 2-0 to 12-0. Though Sembawang called for a timeout at the 9-0 mark, it was not enough to break her momentum. She only faltered at her thirteenth serve, when she sent the ball out of bounds. But Ngee Ann continued on their rampage, clocking more points with steady serves and well played spikes.

Leading 20-5, Carolyn (Ngee Ann, #12) served into the net to give Sembawang another point. However, Fiona (Ngee Ann, #17) had no difficulty taking back the serve with a spike from the outside.

At the 23-9 mark, Phebe (Ngee Ann, #13) served out of bounds to delay the Ngee Ann win. However, Sembawang #12 returned the favour when she too served out of bounds. With Ngee Ann at the game point, Lyvia (Ngee Ann, #10) spiked from the centre to the right corner. Sembawang tried to rescue the ball but it deflected off a player and went out of bounds to finally end all resistance.

Final score: 2-0 (25-10, 25-10)

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!