Two-time NSSF Volleyball League women winner Ndejje Elites started their title defense last week on a positive note. Ndejje defeated Vision Volleyball Camp (VVC) 3-2 to end the latter’s 100 percent record in the league.
On a night Uganda’s best female setter for the last two years and 2012 Uspa Female Volleyball Player of the year Jesca Kaidu decided to stay home and probably get the match updates via sms or whatapps, Ndejje approached the game with inexperienced Winnie Nakabuubi as their secret weapon.
The faith Ndejje put in Nakabuubi rallied them to an early 25-23 lead, Nakabuubi enjoying a good relationship with her attackers, Maureen Mwamula Christine Alupo and Saidat Nnungi. VVC rioted to win the second 25-11, before Ndejje got the lead back 25-21.
The battled well for the bragging rights on the net, but Ndejje were the better side on the day. If it was wasn’t for the good reception Nakabuubi would have also had a dull night, but even in low moments, Ndejje’s attackers lifted the spirit of their setter by converting those hard to score points.
EVen if it was to be Ndejje’s day, they had to squeeze their sweat glands a little mores as VVC forced a tie breaker with a 25-23 win in the fourth. It was in the decisive that game surely lived up to the billing as the two team deuced until Ndejje finally own it 18-16 leaving the fans in the Lugogo Arena yearning for more.
“We knew VVC was a strong side and we prepared accordingly, with a relatively weaker side on the day we came out on top, am every proud of my team,” said Ndejje Coach Johnson Kawenyera.
His VVC counterpart Hannington Nsubuga blamed it on his team’s negative response towards traning prior to the game. “Most of the players have not been training well, because of diffident issues, but pushing the defending champion to the decisive shows that we really gave it our all,” Nsubuga said.
Women’s weekend results
Nkumba 3-0 Espoir (28-26, 25-14, 25-23)
VVC 2-3 Ndejje (23-25, 25-11, 21-25, 25-23, 16-18)
Thunders 0-3 KAVC-B (6-25, 13-25, 10-25
Nemostars 0-3 KAVC-A (12-25, 21-25, 23-25)
Espior 3-2 Sport-S (25-19, 18-25, 25-22, 22-25, 15-10)
KAVC-A 3-0 Thunder (25-3, 25-21, 25-7)
Sport-S 0-3 Ndejje (21-25, 18-25, 15-25)
KCCA 0-3 Nkumba (16-25, 13-25, 22-25)
