Match Report: Volleyball Girls vs ACJC

May 16th, 2010 by CCA PRO

A’ Division Girls Volleyball Finals 2010

HCI vs ACJC

True to their traditional rivalry, Hwa Chong and Anglo-Chinese Junior College were set to face off in the 2010 ‘A’ division girls volleyball finals. With school pride on the line, it promised a fiery match for all supporters to savour at the Woodlands Indoor Stadium, which was further boosted by the raucous cheers of both schools’ ardent supporters.

Game 1: HC 25-20 AC

The match started brightly with all players pumped up and ready for the challenge. With a beautiful opening set from Cassandra, it was given to Aina, who drew first blood with a precise dropshot. Lydia continued pulling the lead with an ace serve that scored another point. AC were not pushovers, and quickly countered back with solid defensive displays to even out Hwa Chong’s advantage. Both sides were tied at 7-7.

Hwa Chong surged ahead after that and managed to cement a 4 point lead at 12-8. AC quickly called for a timeout to regroup and restrategize to break Hwa Chong’s dominance. At the technical timeout, the score stood at 20-20 with both sides’ supporters cheering on their respective sides as the game inched towards game point. After 2 successive spikes by Hwa Chong’s #1 Xinni, AC called for a timeout yet again. By now, the Hwa Chong contingent of supporters was ecstatic and cheered their side on to clinch the first game.

After the timeout, HC regained their momentum with yet another powerful spike by Xinni to bring the game to 23-20. The atmosphere was tense as AC’s supporters desperately began a series of cheers to spur their team on. But it was to no avail, as HC took the first game with a final score of 25-20 to Hwa Chong.

Game 2 HC 20-25 AC

AC started the game positively and soon raced to an 2-8 lead with a series of clever dropshots by their #8. After the technical timeout, Hwa Chong climbed to 10-6. HC’s #5 then scored a series of intelligent cross-court dropshots to reduce AC’s lead to 9-11. After the break the timeout, AC sprinted to an 8-point lead over Hwa Chong. Hwa Chong answered back with Xinni cutting the lead to 15-18 with a series of accurate spikes.

AC called for a timeout yet again to break Hwa Chong’s momentum. The AC tactical change paid dividends, as AC surged to a 17-23 lead. At this juncture, the Hwa Chong supporters began a series of schools cheers to boost their sides’ morale. It helped as AC committed several foul serves, allowing HC to close down the score  to 20-24. AC eventually took this set with a score of 20-25.

 

Game 3: HC 23-25 AC

Hwa Chong started positively to a 2-0 lead, but was overtaken by AC who gained a 4-8 lead over Hwa Chong. After the break, the score was now 13-17. Though AC still maintained a 4-point lead over Hwa Chong, the fervent match support from Hwa Chong paved the way for an astonishing streak by their side to win point after point to catch up to AC at 18-20.

At this point, AC called for another timeout to stop the Hwa Chong juggernaut from overtaking them. It seemed not to have paid off as Hwa Chong leveled the score to 20-20 after the break. However, AC’s player #8 raised her side’s game to 20-22. This time, Hwa Chong called for a timeout as the players tried to regain their momentum. AC still led the score at 22-23, but both sides were getting the nerves as they understood the importance of clinching the 3^rd game as each side had won one already. There was a slight fray at the net as AC rose to 22-24. Luck was not on Hwa Chong’s side as they committed a foul serve to lose the 3^rd set 23-25

Game 4 HC 25-9 AC

AC came into the game with all guns blazing, as they went on the offensive to seek a victory and win the championship. Sure enough, they opened up a 4-point lead and looked assured in their dominant display. However, Hwa Chong demonstrated their resilience and zi qiang bu xi school spirit, and raised their game to equal AC at 6-6.

After that, the Hwa Chong team raced ahead and left AC in their wake as they started a remarkable comeback to go 13-6 up. AC grabbed a point through a foul serve by Hwa Chong after the timeout, but that was probably the only respite they got, as Hwa Chong put together a string of mesmerizing play to go 18-8 up and enjoyed a comfortable lead. Another foul serve by AC increased Hwa Chong’s lead to 19-8. It was Hwa Chong all the way as the team went for the jugular after the break, dealing AC their worse defeat at 25-9.

Game 5 HC 15: AC 11.

The tension at the stadium went up a few notches as the match reached its penultimate game. With the overall score tied at 2-2, both teams had to be at their best to win the final game and wrap up the title. Hwa Chong began well, maintaining the same form that crushed AC just minutes ago. Hwa Chong’s #8 displayed her sublime technical skills as she served up 2 aces to give Hwa Chong an important lead at this crucial moment. The score stood at 6-3. A great block by Hwa Chong’s #5 increased the score to 8-4. Xinni then gained a point to Hwa Chong with another delightful cross-court spike.

The AC players tried to muster up some resistance against Hwa Chong, and managed to equal Hwa Chong point-for-point, but still trailed by 4-points.  There was a slight scare, however, when AC cut Hwa Chong’s lead to 13-11. Hwa Chong’s match supporters were vociferous by now, as they sensed an imminent title triumph for their side. True to their supporters’ expectations, Hwa Chong’s #8 served 2 consecutive aces to win the game 15-11 and bring the trophy back to Hwa Chong for the 4^th time in 5 years.

Post-match interview with players #8 Hazel Woon and #1 Xinni:

How did you feel about the victory?

We are very happy and surprised with the results, partly because we managed to overcome ACJC in a 5-setter match as they were known for their stamina.

What was it like going 2-1 down?

We were disheartened as we had made a bright start to the match. However, we have been through it before and we were usually trailing behind other matches leading to the finals. However, a rotating system kept everyone fresh and our team spirit helped keep everyone going.

What inspired the comeback?

It was a combination of factors, such as the determination of the players, depth of squad and of course, the match support.

What happened to player No.5 Cassandra?

She aggravated an old injury and suffered from a thigh cramp. After the injury, we had to have a change in formation. Fortunately, we had another experienced setter, so we were still able to play on without any trouble. I guess ACJC wasn’t expecting the new formation.

How was ACJC?

They performed up to expectations, giving us a really tough fight and pushed us to 5 sets.

Is there anything you would like to say to Hwa Chong?

I love HC and I love HCunite!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Tags: Volleyball
Posted in CCA, Featured, Sports