22-04-2025
St Hilda's late-night crisis meeting helps seal record 20th B Div volleyball title
SINGAPORE – In the run-up to the National School Games B Division boys' volleyball final, powerhouses St Hilda's Secondary School were the overwhelming favourites, having gone the entire season unbeaten without conceding a single set.
But things had not gone well during training, heightening their anxiety as they prepared to defend their crown against Xinmin Secondary School on April 22.
At the request of coach Teo Siew Lan, captain Matthew Wee called a late-night crisis meeting via Zoom on the eve of the final to calm nerves and iron out their strategy.
The move worked wonders, as St Hilda's romped past Xinmin 25-19, 25-11 at Our Tampines Hub to claim their 20th B boys' volleyball crown.
Matthew, 16, said: 'Leading up to (the final), there were a lot of doubts and fears. There were a lot of individual mistakes during training, and we all agreed we must stay patient and work together as one.'
That strategy worked well, as St Hilda's stayed composed in the tight first set before finding their groove to take it 25-19.
The boys then showed their attacking prowess in the second set, blowing away Xinmin 25-11 to claim the title.
Teo, who has been at the helm of St Hilda's volleyball for almost 30 years, was happy her boys adapted to Xinmin's attack after the close first set to run away with the match.
She said: 'First set we had a hard time blocking them. But towards the end of the first set, they started to get used to the way they spike, the direction and things like that.'
St Hilda's captain Matthew Wee diving for a loose ball.
ST PHOTO: TARYN NG
Key player Jayvier Ang, 16 attributed the win to the trust the players have for each other.
'When I hear them (my teammates) calling, I can really trust them and just give them the ball and know that they will do their best to handle the ball.
'I think we played more as a team (in the second set). We adapted to the loud noises and communicated better.'
St Hilda's Jayvier Ang celebrating a point won by his team.
ST PHOTO: TARYN NG
There was more agony for Xinmin when their girls' team succumbed 25-17, 25-21 in the B Division final to Nanyang Girls' High School, who reclaimed the title they lost to Bukit Panjang Government High School in 2024.
'I didn't think there was a lot of pressure,' said Nanyang captain Theng Jia Qi, 16, when asked if expectations were higher after their loss last season. 'We were really calm today and mentally stable.'
Nanyang Girls' High School showed great camaraderie during their B Division Girls' volleyball final.
ST PHOTO: TARYN NG
Despite the double defeat, Xinmin were proud of reaching both finals.
Elias Loo, teacher-in-charge for the boys' team, said: 'The girls have never been in the final before. The last time the boys were in the final was in 2009. It's historic.
'It also means that whatever hard work we have been putting in is paying off and that comes as a team effort, as a school.
'Despite losing in the finals, I think we have won in many ways. I'm really, really proud.'
Boys' captain Timothy Lim, 16, said: 'I think this is the best that we (Xinmin) have ever played, and I'm very proud of my team for making it this far.'
Girls' captain Jamie Sim, 15, added: 'They (future batches) will definitely look up to our batch and definitely strive to do better and come back and make history again.'
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