27-05-2025
Lya Chua battles cramp to help Hwa Chong claim fourth straight A Div volleyball title
Lya Chua of Hwa Chong Institution continued to play on despite having cramp in both her legs. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
SINGAPORE – Leading 2-1, Hwa Chong Institution were under the cosh after squandering a seven-point lead in the fourth game in their bid to win a fourth straight National School Games A Division girls' volleyball title on May 27.
That was when regular libero, Lya Chua, suffered cramp, forcing her to be substituted, as the momentum swung the way of their final opponents Nanyang Junior College.
With the match finely balanced, Lya decided to brave the pain and return to the court.
The vocal presence of the 17-year-old proved to be the tonic her team needed as the gruelling game went to deuce before Hwa Chong prevailed 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 30-28) at Our Tampines Hub.
'I got cramp in both my legs. But I wanted to do my part and I felt that my role at that point was on the court with my teammates, so that's why I decided to push through,' said Lya, who admitted she would have played a fifth set despite the cramp.
Hwa Chong Institution's Chrystel Lim (in red, 11) and Elizabeth Chia (12) blocking a spike by Melanie Yong (in black, 3) of Nanyang Junior College.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Captai n Elizabeth Chia , 18, added: 'It feels very exhilarating (to win) because Hwa Chong volleyball is really like a family and I feel very grateful and proud to be able to play and win for this team.'
Nanyang captain Loo Yu Wen was satisfied despite the defeat, after leading the team to their first final since 2019 .
'We've had quite a few injuries this year but for every set, we always pushed until the end and I'm just glad the team tried their best,' said the 18-year-old.
While the Nanyang girls were disappointed, their boys took revenge by beating Hwa Chong 3-0 ( 25-18, 25-22, 25-23 ) in the final for their third A Div title in a row.
Nanyang Junior College captain Renfred Eng (second from right) holding the trophy aloft.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Nanyang boys' captain Renfred Eng, 18, said: 'I'm very proud of this team because they have been so adaptable. I've played open spiker for basically my whole volleyball career but this year, coach decided to put me as a setter because he wanted me to help with the blocking.
'Our (usual) setters are not very tall. We wanted to make use of my height to block and I think it worked out because no one could stop us.'
Rehan Fernando, another standout player, attributed his explosive jumps to the intensive gym training.
'Before training, we will always go for an hour or hour-and-half sessions,' said the 19-year-old.
Rehan Tharusha Fernando was one of his team's best players in the final.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Hwa Chong captain Sean Yu, 17, was content despite the result. 'I think we really played as a team. Even when we're down, we help each other and lift each other up. Hopefully, this (experience) will make the (future batches) more hungry for the elusive title.'
Eunoia Junior College (EJC) beat Dunman High School 3-1 in the girls' third-place play-off while Victoria Junior College beat EJC by the same score for the boys' bronze.
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