Secret Superstar or Smiled Upon by Lady Luck?

By Liwei Koh

Will this serve be the last? Ryan Chew (11) thought to himself, feet planted behind the white outer line of the volleyball court following a spree of seven serves in a row. Many call volleyball a team sport, as it is about setting up good attacks through passes and communication. Yet services are an exception to that rule as players can gain points themselves.

This match should have been like any other match, the volleyball being exchanged after a few serves from each member succeeding exciting, unpredictable rallies from last-minute saves to quick reflexes. The score was zero to five, with the Lions crushing the Bulldogs in the last fifteen-point set, spirits were high on the other side of the net with the anticipation of victory, but this would soon change. 

Following the defeat, Jacky Park (12) (Lions Captain) grudgingly agreed, "Not a bad game plan, but spectators would not understand the pressure on the court."

The Bulldog team was preparing for defeat, but an unlikely star appeared, known worldwide for his legendary chokes when serving the volleyball. Chew reached for the ball as it was exchanged after the Bulldogs managed to snag a point from the other team; he stood behind the white line as his teammates cheered him on for a chance of a comeback. He lifted the ball for an overhand serve, praying that it would go over, watching as the ball dramatically fell onto the opposite team's court; he was in disbelief as he had just scored an ace. The team cheered him on, and he believed this time for sure it would be out, but by either sheer luck or skill, he managed to get not one, but ten more serves in a row single-handedly, bringing the score in favor of the bulldogs eleven to five. The other team was not in a victorious mood now as Chew was in the zone, hitting five last beautiful serves ending the game with fifteen consecutive serves in a row. 

Chew, after the game, stated that "at least they tried."

Tawan Teekaariyapak (12) (Ryan's Biggest Fan), who was watching from the sidelines, said, "Ryan was so hot no one could stop him but himself"

With the game time cut short, both teams decided to play another set for fun, and everyone was expecting Ryan to go for a twenty-five and zero score this game. But with his arms red and the ball coming back for him, tragedy struck as the hero who flew too close to the sun burned as the ball dropped in front of him, ending his reign of terror. 

The most dramatic reaction came from Tawan and Dylan (Ryan's Proud Brother), who almost fell out of the bleachers in disbelief with Dylan (12) afterward sadly saying, "It was not the way to end the streak."

Who knows, with his extraordinary service prowess and volleyball skills, we may see Ryan Chew on the big screen carrying the Malaysian national team to Olympic gold soon.