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| The team huddle |
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Dear friends and parents
Yes, WA's Under 15s team has made history today. WA has been taking part in the Val Nesbitt competition since 2005. The WA team has never won a medal before for the team event. Individual medals have been won but never the team medal. The Under 19s won a bronze medal this year making history too.
The WA Under 15s has a date with destiny tomorrow. They have a chance to win gold. They are going for gold. And this is how they got there.
The first game was against the Territories.
All the games were won easily. Only Phing had a scare when she played Sanoja and she had to play a 3 setter. The rest of the games were easily won with 2 sets.
The standout story was Eunice v Stephanie Fan. Stephanie is 11 yrs of age and yet an accomplished player for her age. The comment she made when she first saw the WA team was, why are they so tall. That brought back memories of last year's comp when our kids were younger and all the other competition were much older and taller.
The younger the player is, the more the player should feel proud that they are representing their state. So, Stephanie, take heart, you will grow bigger and taller but enjoy the memory now of competing for your state.
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| The team greeting the Territories team |
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Match overview
| Order | Event | Western Australia (VNT06) | - | The Territories (VNT08) | Score | Points |
|
| Duration |
| 1 | MD |
| - |
| 21-5 21-7 | 1-0 |
|
| 0:14 |
| 2 | WD |
| - |
| 21-9 21-8 | 1-0 |
|
| 0:15 |
| 3 | MS1 |
| - |
| 21-1 21-6 | 1-0 |
|
| 0:13 |
| 4 | MS2 |
| - |
| 21-14 21-10 | 1-0 |
|
| 0:15 |
| 5 | WS1 |
| - |
| 21-15 16-21 21-14 | 1-0 |
|
| 0:38 |
| 6 | WS2 |
| - |
| 21-18 21-8 | 1-0 |
|
| 0:24 |
| 7 | XD1 |
| - |
| 21-9 21-10 | 1-0 |
|
| 0:17 |
| 8 | XD2 |
| - |
| 21-9 21-13 | 1-0 |
|
| 0:16 |
The afternoon was more interesting. The team was told that they were going to make history if they win the next matches as that meant they were going into the medal round. Maybe we should not have told them that as they were visibly more tense when they started their games.
The first game was between Xiang and Amos v Matthew Chan and William Liang. Amos and Xiang were tense and they made several mistakes before losing 12-21. This was a bad start. If they lost the match, it would set the tone for the rest of the team matches.
The second set was won 22-20 after a nervous start. Xiang and Amos had to come from behind to win.
The 3rd set was even more nerve wrecking. Amos and Xiang trailed through most of the game. They finally managed to catch up. At 20-18, Xiang managed a cross drop to win the match. The cheers from the supporters was so loud.
Meanwhile, the girls easily won their doubles game at 21-17 and 21-8.
The next game was between Amos and Huaidong. The first match was a nerve wrecker but Amos managed to win 22-20. The 2nd set was won at 21-19 to the relief of Amos' parents. The highlight of the match was the 2nd last point when Amos returned a shot to the right hand corner. The linesgirl hesitantly said out. Annie saw the shot and outruled the linesgirl. The next match point was won by Amos. After the game, the NSW team objected to the ruling. They tried to show Annie their video of the game but Annie refused to change her judgement. There were a few WA parents who saw the shot going in. The NSW coach also argued it was out but he was standing over the other side of the court.
It shows how important it is to have our own umpire during the competition.
The next match was between Dennis and William Liang. The 1st set was won by Dennis after a long struggle. The score was 23-21. It does not show that Dennis was coming from behind. The next set was won by William at 22-24. Dennis missed a match point and then lost the set.
There was then a break and Dennis told Ailing the coach that he was tired. Ailing proceeded to tell him that this was what he had to face with to triumph. There was no turning back.
The next set was won 21-11 after Dennis showed his courage and character. He is the quiet achiever.
In the meantime, Phing and Eunice won their matches easily. That meant that WA was into the finals for the medal.
Amos and Phing lost to Matt Chan and Mandy Li after a close fight.
The last game was played by Tyzton and Silvi. Silvi has played very well in this competition. Her net game has been impeccable. They won easily at 21- 13 and 21-15.
That meant a 7-1 victory.
After the matches, Silvi commented, "why can't I play so well during my warm up competitions". My dear the warm up competitions was to get you to this level of play.
Ailing has done so well managing the allocation of games for the players. All the players have been given a chance to play and they have all done well when required of them. She has been a great coach and tactician.
So, the team has made history by getting themselves to the winner's pool. They are going for gold. If you are able to come and give your support, it will help them. See you tomorrow.
By the way, my wife the umpire also gets to win a medal. That means Jazton, Tyzton and my wife will all have a National competition medal. What about me????
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| Meeting NSW 2 |
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| Tyzton being rocktaped byToukrei our RF before the game. |
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| Amos being rocktaped |
Match overview
| Order | Event | Western Australia (VNT06) | - | NSW Lightning (VNT05) | Score | Points |
|
| Duration |
| 1 | MD |
| - |
| 12-21 22-20 21-18 | 1-0 |
|
| 0:19 |
| 2 | WD |
| - |
| 21-17 21-8 | 1-0 |
|
| 0:15 |
| 3 | MS1 |
| - |
| 22-20 21-19 | 1-0 |
|
| 0:21 |
| 4 | MS2 |
| - |
| 23-21 22-24 21-11 | 1-0 |
|
| 0:37 |
| 5 | WS1 |
| - |
| 21-13 21-8 | 1-0 |
|
| 0:18 |
| 6 | WS2 |
| - |
| 21-11 21-6 | 1-0 |
|
| 0:16 |
| 7 | XD1 |
| - |
| 19-21 19-21 | 0-1 |
|
| 0:20 |
| 8 | XD2 |
| - |
| 21-13 21-15 | 1-0 |
|
| 0:20 |
Statistics
| Points | Won | Draws | Lost | Matches | Games | Points |
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