The girls’ team battled exceptionally well and qualified second at the end of the group games, winning four out of the five group games. Once through to the semi-finals, the nerves started to kick in. Our team having already beaten KAS in the group stages, both teams approached the game cautiously. With a well drilled KAS team, the NAIS Pudong girls managed to maintain their concentration and persistence, winning the game in two sets and seeing them through to the final against SCIS Hongqiao.
With everything to play for, the girls fought for every single point in the first set - they battled hard but unfortunately lost. It was then into the second set and, with the crowd behind them, the girls were determined to go for every single point but, unfortunately, SCIS Hongqiao managed to pull away, winning the second set.
Emotions were deflated as for some this was their last ACAMIS, but there was some exceptionally outstanding play which was recognized by the coaches and referees across the tournament. Anna Lamieri and Diane Sautter were chosen for the ‘All Stars’ team of the tournament with Anna Lamieri voted for the MVP (Most valuable player) for the girls across the whole tournament which is a fantastic achievement. All of the girls should be proud of their performance and sheer determination to be 1st Runner up in the ACAMIS 2015 Volleyball Tournament.
The boy’s team had a mixed tournament where they would play outstanding as a team and in the same game just fall apart and lose confidence. The first game against the host school Renaissance College summed up their tournament. The first set they did not come out of the blocks fast enough and were beaten 25 – 19; the second set the boys won 25 – 16 and the third set they lost 15 – 13. Throughout the tournament we saw the boys play well and at other times they just lost their composure as a team. They won three group games and lost two. The best game of the tournament was the game against SCIS Hongqiao, each set went to a tie break and the boys played out of their skins. They had the chance to win in two sets against a team that has not lost a game all season. They lost the first set, won the second set and lost the third set 16-14. After that performance the boys went into the semi-finals with confidence against a well drilled Renaissance College. The boys wanted revenge for the first defeat against them in the group phase. In the first set RCHK outplayed the boys and won the set by 6 points. In the second set the boys team played really well and won the set by 9 points. They went into the third set confident, but again they lost their composure and lost the semi-final by 15 – 11 in the third set. The boys played for third or fourth place against KAS and won the game in two sets to finish 3rd place overall. The NAIS boys team were deflated and for seven players in the team it will be their last ACAMIS Volleyball tournament. There were some outstanding performances individually as well as a team, but the team was not consistent throughout the tournament and sadly did not get another chance to take on the SCIS Hongqiao boys team who went on to win the tournament. Adriano Arguedas and Emiliano D’Angio were chosen for the ‘All Star’ team.
Overall it was a great event hosted by Renaissance College and we are very proud of how our students performed throughout the event and they were excellent ambassadors for the NAIS Pudong Tigers. I want to thank Mr. Keenan and Mrs. Howell for their great work throughout the season and especially throughout our time in Hong Kong.