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.”

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