After every volleyball training session, Captain Chris would always emphasis the need to “right the wrong”, to bring back to EH what EH truly deserves, the tag of volleyball champions.
Today, he got his chance. The boys came so far, and as the curtains closed, they wrote a fitting story to end this volleyball love affair, which was ironically on Valentine’s day. EH guys, IHG volleyball champions 2009. Congratulations.

1st Set : EH 25-23 KR
It was early Saturday morning and it was pretty heartening to spot the stands littered with yellow. Not the sun, in case you were wondering, the game was played indoors.

EH were installed as favourites for this final, the last time the reporter checked the odds at Singapore Pools, but KR were no pushovers, having beaten the likes of last year’s champions and dark horses Raffles. Things got off to a cagey start, with both sides playing on the side of caution, not willing to allow their opponents to pull away with a sizeable lead. The bulk of our points came from our sensational blocking again, but nerves on our part ensured that KR gained points without really having to earn them.

The turning point of the 1st set was at 17-17, when one team finally managed to pull away and find some daylight between the two. The team wasn’t us though. KR found themselves up 3 points after mistakes on our part, only for us vice-captain to settle the nerves with a spike dead centre. Chris, who was immense the last match, was not his usual standards, maybe because of valentines issues, but his block at 19-20 ensured EH restored parity.

KR sensationally pulled ahead again, and it was 20-23. A time-out was called and boy did we need one. We were definitely not playing to potential, and the reporter was pretty certain the guys were leaving no stone unturned with their intense team talk. Whoever called for the time-out would certainly qualify for a nobel prize. EH stormed back to win the set with 5 straight points, with a spike from our number 11 settling it. Fantastic stuff, Eusoff  with the edge!

2nd Set: EH 25-23 KR
KR’s number 9 was a cause of worry for our boys with his lethal spikes, but we had to cut out our service errors to improve. The 2nd set started similarly, with both teams neck and neck until our boys decided to embark on a little run, racing to a 13-7 lead. Most of our points came from our blocking, which were becoming a hallmark of our game. A time-out by KR didn’t change anything, as EH carried on its good work, with perfectly placed spikes this time from our usual suspects. KR also stepped on the yellow line (literally) a couple of times, which earned us valuable points. (By the way, if you step on the line that’s just below the net during play, it’s considered a court violation and a point for the other team).

3 straight points by KR, bringing the scored to 20-19 in our favour, forced our guys into a quick time-out, in an attempt to halt their progress. They proceeded to make 2 consecutive mistakes at the re-start, and a vicious spike from Chris ensured we headed into the 3rd set with a 2-0 lead.

3rd Set: EH 22-25 KR
KR wasn’t going to give up just like that, do they? They showed why they were there at the final in the 3rd set, which actually demonstrated more of our mistakes than KR’s prowess. Nerve really is a funny thing.

Our opponents had a blazing start, finding themselves with an 11-4 lead. We had mouth-watering plays of our own though, one notable highlight was a 20000km/h spike by Chris after a sensational set up by Kenneth, who had difficulty getting onto the first ball, making the play even more remarkable. The boys from both sides weren’t giving points away for free this time, resulting in several long rallies, most of which EH were unlucky to lose.

Joseph did spice up this set with a few splendid spikes, although he had to depart the scene for a few minutes to treat a bleeding wound.  KR were intent to upping the tempo though, and despite a brief attempt at a comeback by our boys, reducing the deficit at 18-21 after being as much as 5 points down, KR finished off strong and bagged the 3rd set.

4th Set: EH 25-19 KR

Not much will be said about this set, because in truth, it was never in doubt.  This set was a perfect showcase of Eusoff dominance, power and creativity. The team finally stepped up to the plate.

Joseph’s thunderous (and I really mean thunderous when I say thunderous) spikes, Zhenqiang’s amazing ability to receive any ball at any speed with grace, service winners and another save with the leg from Weimin, Aaron’s unstoppable kills and wonderfull all round play, Desmond’s great saves when the point had KR smacked all over it, and of course, our captain and his influence, his aura, they were all on show during this 4th set.

History was created and what better way to send the graduating seniors off then with gold around their neck, and poignant, yellowish memories etched in their memory. Who said yellow and gold can’t mix?

(The reporter is honoured to have reported and also witnessed the stuff of champions.)

Play Of The Day 1: At 2-0 up, 2nd set, a spike by KR was wonderfully saved by Desmond, who then sent it back. KR conjured up another spike, and this time Kenneth showed superb agility to save it. Kenneth, however, couldn’t direct the ball and the ball was about to head for some secluded corner for a KR point when Chris popped out and saved it. Desmond sent it back again and KR, who couldn’t believe what they were seeing, forgot to hit the ball back. Our point!

Talk Of The Day: Maybe it was valentine’s day, but on several occasions during the match there would be 3 or 4 of the KR guys staring into the air, watching the ball drop from the sky like it’s gold and landing onto their own court, without one of them doing a thing. They couldn’t all have gotten ditched/rejected on the same day could they?

Talk Of The Day 2: 2nd set, game point. A KR spike was ruled out and EH appeared to have won the 2nd set. That was until the KR guys protested for reasons I was not aware of and the umpire actually sensationally reversed his decision. We went on to win the set (again), but the umpire didn’t do himself any favours with such inconsistency.

Supporter Of The Day: Matthew Wan. He wanted it so bad. This award, that is. On a side note, he did spend large amounts of time cheering, although the only words you could decipher were “out ball out ball out all out ball! (x50)”. It was an apparent dig at the KR players, who spent much of the time questioning calls by the umpire.

Supporter Of The Day 2: Sherry “don’t use my name for your report!” Ngiam.