Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Hwachong faced off with perennial volleyball powerhouses NYJC in the A division final today. Hwachong entered the game as slight underdogs against volleyball giants Nyjc who had a stranglehold of the A division title in previous years, having claimed it four times in the last five years, while hwachong on the other hand was facing a 14-year title drought. Prior to the game, Hwachong was enjoying an impressive run of form, losing only one out of their last seven games, while winning the rest in straight sets. This formidable run coupled with our tendency to bounce back strongly after a loss meant that nyjc would face the sternest test yet to their championship credentials. Hwachong eventually prevailed with a 3-1 win to pip the reigning champions for the title win. Our team line-up was Kian Keong as setter, Zijie as sub-setter, Lennis and Galvin as quickers, Samuel and Melvin as spikers, and Wincoln as libero

First set
Both Nyjc and Hwachong started the first set in frenzied fashion. It was nyjc who took the intiative as they attacked frantically and put up a series of match winning blocks. In a matter of minutes, they were leading by 9-4. Faced with a daunting crowd of audience and a seasoned opposition who had a wealth of experience in playing the finals, for a moment hwachong seemed unsettled and looked out of sorts. A time out was given and our coach grabbed the opportunity to calm the team down. Hwachong went on a point winning streak to tie nyjc 14-14 in a superb comeback. Spearheaded once again by attacking axis of samuel, melvin and galvin, our team started to retaliate with fierce spikes of our own. Meanwhile, wincoln our libero made improvements to his nervy start with several composed digs and receives. However, nyjc shone with their experience as they started to pull away. With the score at 24-21, nyjc was on the verge of claiming its first set. However, hwachong was not one to shy away from the fight as spikes from samuel and galvin saw us fight tenaciously to claw back to 25-25. Both teams traded numerous spikes in an attempt to chalk up the 2 points that will give either one the precious first set. Meanwhile it was pure entertainment for the audience as both sides threw caution to the wind and attacked relentlessly. Eventually, it was nyjc who secured the first set win with a 27-25 victory.

Second set
The first set loss seemed to have roused the sleeping giant within hwachong. Hwachong began the second set with much to prove as they raced to a 7-5 lead, courtesy of the lethal spikes by galvin and samuel. We then started to pull away as we poured upon a barrage of spikes upon the battered nyjc defence with impunity. The floodgates started to open and we stormed to an unassailable 11 point lead at 20-9 with melvin continuing samuel's good work with a fine display on his own. Galvin was in irresistable form as he continued to chalk up points with his jump serves and blocking. While both samuel and melvin turned in virtuoso performances with their impressive all round play. A series of blocks by galvin eventually ensured that the set was to be hwachong's with the score standing at 25-12.

Third set
With the second set rout of nyjc, hwachong wasted no time in stating their intentions of winning the 3rd set. Meanwhile, nyjc seemed shell shocked as they made several unforced errors which we capitalised upon with glee. Galvin and Lennis was fast proving to be a great menace in the middle with their dominating blocks which completely disrupted the attacking flow of nyjc. Samuel and Zijie chipped with with several impeccable spikes of their own as we raced to a 7 point lead at 17-10. Together with melvin, our attack laid siege upon the nyjc side as spikes rained upon them, pressurising them to implode with unforced errors on their own. At the other side of the court, Wincoln stamped his authority on the court with a masterful display. In addition to his composed defending, wincoln single-handedly saved the team with several stupendous saves which stunned the opposition and sent the audience to a state of delirium. A defining moment would be a staggering double save by him. As the opposition spiker unleashed a powerful spike upon our defence, it seemed that he would have earned the point, as he celebrated with his back turned as soon as he landed, however libero wincoln obviously had other ideas as he dived at full stretch to execute a perfect save. Nyjc recovered immediately to immediately launch another venomous spike at us in a counter attack, however this was again dealt by wincoln as he hurtle after the ball. Eventually the point was ours to claim as our attack seized upon the chance to extend our lead. There was pandemonium at the stands when hwachong wrapped the set up at 25-16. One more set and we would be the champions for the first time in almost a decade and a half.

Fourth set
With the title just one set away, hwachong stepped up their gear and pressed for a historic win. With nyjc uncertain and hesitant about themselves, hwachong immediately found themselves with a five point lead at 12-7. This time our attacking quartet of galvin, zijie, samuel and melvin wasted no time in extending our lead with their seamless execution of spikes, while our blockers put on a stirring performance with their towering blocks. Nyjc on the other hand was performing erratically as they imploded with several errors on their own. However, they mounted a brief comeback as they regrouped to whittle our lead down to 2 points at 15-13. This signalled the beginning of a deadlocked as both sides pounded each other in a thrilling attacking display. Melvin's instinctive dropshot saw that hwachong tie with nyjc at 19-19. With victory in side, hwachong fired all cylinders as they pulled away for the win. Some wonderful work by samuel and galvin togther with several nervous errors committed by nyjc ensured that hwachong secured the fourth set to win the a division 2009.

The stands erupted as the team captured this historic win. The rest of the team surged across the court as they joined the team in their celebrations. Thanks to our coach, teachers and most of all to our supporters and those who supported us in one way or another. Many thanks.

life can be a burden, but dun ever give up