SMK Taman Connaught win one and lose one in volleyball meet

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IT WAS a day of mixed fortunes for the SMK Taman Connaught girls in their outing at the second Ayam A1 Kuala Lumpur Youth Volleyball Championships at the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) Sports Arena recently.

After settling for second in the girls’ Under-16 contest last year, they went one up and upstaged defending champions SMK Sri Sentosa in the recent championship encounter. But it was the other way round for the Under-14 girls. Despite being defending champions, they were beaten by SMK Jinjang in the final.

Although SMK Sri Sentosa stayed in contention in the early stages of the opening game, they could not prevent SMK Taman Connaught from wrapping up the match 25-17, 25-12 for the victory.

SMK Taman Connaught coach Jenny Ooi said her charges were prepared for the rematch against SMK Sri Sentosa.

On the attack: SMK Jinjang (facing the camera) attempting to penetrate the SM Chong Hwa Independent defensive wall in the boys’ Under-16 final.

“Going into the match, we knew we had the advantage because we came in full force. Our players were more experienced. Half of the squad of 12 members took part in the same tournament last year. We also have the services of several state representatives in our line-up. It was quite tight at the beginning of the opening game but they got into the rhythm and pulled away. They performed up to expectations throughout the tournament,” she added.

In the girls’ Under-14 final, defending champions SMK Taman Connaught failed in their bid to retain the title when they went down 24-26, 20-25 to SMK Jinjang.

Jenny praised their opponents for putting up a fighting display in fending off their challenges.

“It was a good learning curve for the newcomers in our team comprising Form One students. They are capable of doing better but they cracked under pressure. They could not handle the situation especially during the crucial moments. They will need to learn to stay calm and execute their game plan confidently in the future,” she said.

Over to you: The girls’ Under-16 Most Valuable Player recipient Ng Loke Yee (centre) of SMK Taman Connaught returning a shot while her teammates Ng Siew Teng (left) and Tang Jee Mun look on.

Meanwhile, it was a fruitful outing for SM Chong Hwa Independent bagging a double at the expense of SMK Jinjang in the boys’ contests.

SM Chong Hwa Independent edged SMK Jinjang 25-13, 25-22 in the boys’ Under-14 final and their senior side repeated the winning ways by beating SMK Jinjang 25-12, 25-22 in the boys’ Under-16 final.

SM Chong Hwa Independent’s key player Lee Jie Qi also played a pivotal role in both victories.

And Jie Qi ended his campaign picking up the Most Valuable Player award in both the boys’ Under-14 and Under-16 sections.

A total of 50 teams featured in four categories — boys’ and girls’ Under-14 as well as boys’ and girls’ Under-16 — at the recent five-day meet.

ROLL OF HONOUR

BOYS’

Under-14

Best Server: Voon Yi Zhe (SM Chong Hwa Independent)

Best Receiver: Tan Ming Kai (SMK Jinjang)

Best Blocker: Tan Yi Ming (SMK Taman Connaught)

Best Setter: Chean Chen Kong (SM Chong Hwa Independent)

Best Spiker: Tan Song Hui (SMK Jinjang)

Most Valuable Player: Lee Jie Qi (SM Chong Hwa Independent)

Under-16

Best Server: Leong Wei Loong (SMK Jinjang)

Best Receiver: Teo Yong Zhi (SM Chong Hwa Independent)

Best Blocker: Amir Farid Khali (Royal Military College)

Best Setter: Chai Ming Yong (SM Chong Hwa Independent)

Best Spiker: Goh Nai Qian (SMK Taman Connaught)

Most Valuable Player: Lee Jie Qi (SM Chong Hwa Independent)

GIRLS’

Under-14

Best Server: Koh Yi Wen (SMK Taman Connaught)

Best Receiver: Liew Yi Qi (SMK Jinjang)

Best Blocker: Cherise Ang (SMK Taman Connaught)

Best Setter: Low Pey Shin (SM Chong Hwa Independent)

Best Spiker: Law Jing Man (SMK Taman Connaught)

Most Valuable Player: Liew Yi Qi (SMK Jinjang)

Under-16

Best Server: Nadia Nathalia Mohd Radzi (SMK Sri Sentosa)

Best Receiver: Ng Siew Teng (SMK Taman Connaught)

Best Blocker: Choy Mei Yi (SMK Sri Sentosa)

Best Setter: Lim Thong Jean (SM Chong Hwa Independent)

Best Spiker: Hazel Yap (SMK Taman Connaught)

Most Valuable Player: Ng Loke Yee (SMK Taman Connaught)