Inatek won their first NSSF-KAVC International in 2013 when they defeated Kenya Administration Police 3-1 (25-14, 25-20, 24-26, 25-13) in the final.
Last year they failed to defend their crown as the the Rwandan side lost to Sky 3-1 (25-23, 14-25, 25-23, 25-21) in the final.
Inatek returned this year to claim what’s theirs and this was at the expense of Sport-S who were playing in their first final since 2012.
With both sides managing to pull a decent fan base in the indoor, Sport-S shot first both on court and in the stands.
Led by Ivan Ongom, Dickens Otim and Allan Karashani, the four time winner took the first set 25-20. Inatek upped their service which destabilized Sport-S’ reception in the second set.
Sport-S tried to stretch the lead but the number of services they lost at critical moments didn’t help, not even deuce would save them, as Inatek drew level 27-25.
Inatek’s Yves Mutabazi had a quiet evening, but skipper Oilivier Ntagengwa, Vicent Dusabimana and Kavalo Akumuntu did the damange.
Especially Ntagengwa, as Sport-S struggled to maintain their rhythm, the eventual most valuable player lifted his side as they won the third set 25-22.
Sport-S’ Coach Benon Mugisha rested setter Albert Gayi and Warren Muhangi started the fourth set.
At this stage, sport-S needed something special to force a tie breaker, Ongom was finding it hard to go past Akumuntu’s block. Libero Stephen Oguti, Karashani and Ronald Kitosi were harassed on court defense.
But the failure to hold their nerves was again a big factor that exposed Sport-S as they lost the fourth set 25-19 and the match 3-1.
At the semifinal stage, Inatek came from a set down to defeat Sky 3-1 (24-26, 25-21, 25-19, 25-22), Sport-S whitewashed Rukizo 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-17).
Rukinzo and Sky, endured five grueling sets in the third place playoff, the former came out victor 3-2 (23-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13)
The winner, runner-ups and first runner-ups were awarded with US$1000, US$500, US$300 respectively.
