When Nemostar’ captain George Aporu begged his setter to take the team to just one Open volleyball final, he knew nothing would go wrong there. Nemostars had lost the Makerere and Ndejje Open titles at the semifinal stage early in the season.
And their first final of the year was the Jinja Open against Sport-S on Wednesday night, Nemostars won it 3-0.The final had initially been washed out by rain in Jinja last month in the third set. It was tied at one all.
The lose ended Sport-S’ unbeaten run in 21games, which had also seen them win three tournaments on the road. “There is no way we were going to be defeated in our first final of the year,” said Nemostars captain George Aporu.
“Everyone had started to write us off, we needed to prove the doubting ‘Thomases’ wrong, and this is a good start to another long season,” he added. With the league starting in ten days Nemostars showed early intent in the neck to neck first set, breaking away from 16 all to win it 25-19.
George Aporu Louis Mubangizi and Tom Paul Amou might have been ruthless on attack but they were also complimented by Sport-S’ struggle on court cover and net defense. In fact Mubangizi who is known for his ability to attack also gave a lot on defense which has never been his area on interest.
Stephen Oguti probably the best defensive libero in Uganda right now, struggled with reception and cover in a game where Sport-S’ were lethargic on their attack. With Sport-S’ leading the second set 23-22, Ivan Ongom, Andrew Wandera and Dickens Otim were killed on the blocked respectively for Nemostars to win the second 25-23.
In the third Sport-S started with setter Warren Muhangi instead of Albert Gayi, but it was clear the trio had lost the zeal to fight back. Giving away cheap points on service, attacking out, but Nemostars block was also functional as they won it 25-20. “We just failed to do the needful, receive, block, and cover and we paid the price,” said Sport-S coach Benon Mugisha
