Squash [F] Second Preliminary round: KE vs KR, lost 2-3

Reported by Mitchell Beast Yeo

Edited by Victor Lee

After suffering a loss to EH in the first preliminary match, the King Edward VII Hall (KE7) female squash team was poised and ready to score a victory against Kent Ridge Hall (KR) and secure a place in the semifinals.
The first match featured KE’s Ho Yan Yi against KR’s Michelle Lee. The latter is an IVP and has years of experience in the racquet sport. And this was shown throughout the match as Michelle sent her opponent running around the court and picked up the win 11-1, 11-2 to win the first match. In between sets, Michelle had requested for the court to be mopped as it was sticky and the audience watch in amusement as a convenor from EH did the task.

 

The second match pitted KE’s Theng Wai and KR’s Jaclyn. Theng Wai who was playing her final squash match for KE7 brings with her 5 years of IHG experience. Theng Wai was able to take the first set with ease at 10-2. In the second set, Theng Wai played some tricky shots and held an early lead at 7-4. Following a failed boast attempt by Jaclyn, Theng Wai was able to score consecutive points to win the set 11-5.

Squash girls in the middle of an intense match

KE’s Squash captain Meilani played against Jia Qi, who was a tennis player evident from the use of both her hands for a backhand shot. According to good friend Vic-ki, Meilani has put in a lot of effort for the competition. The competitive match captured the attention of the audience. Meilani appeared calm and composed despite some mistakes but eventually lost the first set 11-13. After receiving some advice from alumni and formidable player Deis, Meilani began the second set taking the first couple of points. However, Jia Qi landed some nice shots near the wall that Meilani was unable to receive. In the end, Meilani conceded the match at 9-11.

 

Rachel, representing KE, faced KR’s Sarah, a badminton player in the fourth match. Rachel is a graduating student who came over from TH last year. She is known for her powerful shots by fellow team members who witnessed them during training sessions. From the warm-up, it was clear that Rachel was the dominant player and made quick work of her adversary winning the first set 11-3. After receiving some encouragement from the audience, Sarah attempted to manage her stress. But Rachel continued with her deadly shots to seal the second set at 11-3.

 

The team!

With 2 matches a piece, the pressure was on Zhu Yan as the final match would determine if KE was able to qualify for the semifinals. However standing in her way was KR’s captain Cheryl. Cheryl’s experience in the sport gave her the upper hand, clinching the first set at 11-5. In the second set, Zhu Yan went after every shot attempting to score points and capitalizing on any mistake made by Cheryl. Eventually, the more experienced opponent sealed the match with a score of 11-2..

 

In spite of the disappointing defeat 2-3, the female squash team showed what it meant to never quit and to fight with spirit. The team was equipped with the skills but unfortunately with a wrong lineup, they were unable to exploit the strengths of the team. When asked about the team’s performance, captain Meilani apologized for underperforming but is proud of the effort and hours that her players have invested into training. She also mentioned that defeat was not expected but it happens and will try again next year.

IHG Opening Ceremony

Written by Dean Liaw Yih Hang

Edited by Ong Hui Shan

A little competition never hurt anyone. Sports have long been the cornerstone of varsity life, a means of keeping in shape on top of the usual brain workouts, a time to play and relax, a time to build friendships and a time to bring out the competitive spirit in everyone. The Inter-Hall Games (IHG) is an annual sports meet that pits the residents of the 6 residential halls in the university against each other. The competitors fight not only for their own pride, but also for the glory of the hall whose colours they don.

IHG 11/12 started early this year, a week before the official commencement of classes. The opening ceremony was however scheduled for 9 January, the first day of the new semester. It was held at the Sports & Recreation Centre pool, in front of eager spectators who were waiting to watch the IHG swimming competition. The ceremony was thus kept short and simple in anticipation of the excitement that was to follow.

The event started much earlier than planned and it opened with a welcome address from the IHG Convening Chairperson Jonathan Ng from Eusoff Hall. Next, he led the taking of the IHG Oath where everyone raised their right hands and pledged to display gracious sportsmanship throughout the games.

The IHG Oath

 

Subsequently, Dean of Students Professor Tan Teck Koon, the guest-of-honour for the event, was invited to give a short speech. Prof Tan and Jonathan then cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of IHG. After ribbon cutting, Prof Tan was given the honour to sound the horn, signaling the commencement of the swimming event.

 

Prof Tan (center) and Jonathan (right) cutting the ribbon

 

Prof Tan sounding off the swimming event

With that, the IHG opening ceremony was over by 6:30pm, and the VIPs were ushered off to enjoy the refreshments prepared for them. The opening ceremony might have ended, but the following days of IHG are shrouded in uncertainty. Which hall will emerge as champion of IHG 11/12? Will it be one of the renowned “sports halls”, or will the games go to the underdogs? Regardless, it is clear from the looks and smiles of everyone in attendance that night as they cheered their fellow hall mates on that there will only be winners.

IHG Swimming Competition

Written by Yuan Xuting

Edited by Mao Yinan

IHG Swimming Competition began at NUS Swimming Pool on 9^th Jan, the first day of this new semester.

After a short opening ceremony，different swimming games began.

This year, Ziyao and Ellie lead KE Swimming team. Other team members are: Yunjin, Pinhong, Kasper, Jeremy, Augustine and Celine, Elaine, Sueyuin, Anna.

The guys in KE swimming team

The first game was 50m males freestyle swimming and 50m females freestyle swimming. Although the individual game was not counted into final scores, KE’s participants Ziyao and Jeremy still tried their best and showed us an exciting game.

male 50m freestyle swimming

Then 4＊50m males freestyle relay and 4＊50m females freestyle relay attracted our attention. Team leader Ziyao motivated the males’ team, including Kasper, Jeremy, and Augustine, to try their best. And the female team leader Ellie led her athletes Elaine, Sueyuin, and Anna made great efforts as well. There was an air of excitement around the whole swimming pool. Supporters from different halls were organized by their own JCRC and gave their athletes the most enthusiastic encouragement.

The supporters encouraged their athletes.

After a short break, athletes warmed up during male 50m breaststroke and female 50m breaststroke. After that, athletes took part in the male 4x50m breaststroke relay and female 4x50m breaststroke relay girls. In both games, KE athletes took the 5^th position among all halls.

male 4x50m breaststroke relay

KE athletes Ziyao, Pinhong, Kasper, Jeremy, Augustine, and Anna participated in the next game–10x50m novelty race. In this game, our athletes got the second place, which is a noteworthy achievement, cheering every KEviian present.

The last and the most exciting game was 4x50m medley relay. The two leaders Ellie and Ziyao took part in this game. The other two athletes were Elaine and Jeremy. In the end, KE took the 5^th position in IHG swimming competition.

the exciting swimming competition

Tennis [f] second preliminary round: KE vs RH, lost 2-3

Reported by Akshaya Gautham

Edited by Celine Yeap

Tennis is one of many games that require strong power and endurance. In IHG tennis, five games are played, 3 singles and 2 doubles. The winner is the first to reach nine points. KE7’s proud female tennis team were well ahead of time on Tuesday the 10^th of January; all prepared for their big match against Raffles Hall (RH). Little did they know that the match was to be rescheduled due to an unfortunate downpour of rain. Though the rain managed to soak the tennis courts, it did not dampen our player’s spirits. The players decided to warm up in a new way , by taking turns to clear the water  off the court using rollers! Before  the actual match, the team, clad in bright red consisting of Akshaya, Yasmin, Melissa, Fang Ming,  Maeyue and Patricia led by their captain Shereen, warmed up by playing  a few trial games. Their strategy this time was to focus and always be in good control of the ball; or “keep the ball in” as quoted by Melissa.

After a long wait, the match finally started around 8.10 pm. The first singles was played by Melissa. Though she was confident and strong, luck seemed to be with the other side. The RH player finished off a quick game in her favour, winning 9-0. Simultaneously, the second singles was played by captain Shereen herself. The game was quite a long one as both the players sweat it out. Despite a good game, RH won it with a score of 9-2.

Next up were the two doubles matches, which were also played simultaneously.  In the first one Fang Ming and Patricia played against 2 equally strong players from RH. Our players remained very alert and were swift in their action. Raffles, however, had a bit more of an advantage and experience over KE which resulted in a loss of 9-1.

The highlight of the whole match was most definitely the second doubles. It was played by Yasmin and Maeyue. Both players managed to pose a tough competition against RH. It was full of excitement as it was a very close match. Everytime KE got a point, RH followed immediately and vice versa. Finally the game resulted in a tie, with the score at 8-8 and  a tie breaker was announced. The tie breaker seemed to be a piece of cake for KE; the match was won, with a score of 8-9.

Last but not the least was KE’s Akshaya, playing the third singles. Akshaya  put  up a very challenging act. Her hard smashes ensured a clear victory over her RH opponent who seemed to struggle with returning her powerful shots. The final score was 9-4, and KE won another match.

The final tally stands at an overall loss of 2-3 to KE. Nevertheless, our players gave it their best and no doubt everyone is proud of the girls’ efforts! The match served as a good platform for us to prove our strong points against Raffles Hall. Well done girls!