16th University Games: Volleyball – Semifinal Results (Men)
- KIU 3-2 UCU (25-21, 19-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-13)
- Nkumba 3-0 Ndejje ( 25-20, 26-24, 25-23)
Kampala International University defeated Uganda Christian University 3-2 (25-21, 19-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-13) to storm the finals at the ongoing AUUS University games in Iganga district.
The Kansanga side relied on the heroics of Sport-S trio of Ivan Ongom, Cyprian Uwimana and team captain Jean Luc Mbonyuwuntumana to trounce Nason Bwesigye’s troops.
The first set saw KIU get off to a brilliant start with Rwandan pair of Aimable Mutuyimana and Mbonyuwuntumana’s service disconcerting the Mukono side.
Daudi Okello and his fellow Doves then got into the rhythm and looked destined for a comeback, they caught up to level scores at 20-all but KIU outlived them to take the set 25-21 and take the advantage going into the second set.
UCU came back with a different script in the second set, the block on the net was on point and so was the reception.
Okello’s attack started to yield dividends as KIU faltered from the service box as well as the court cover.
UCU took the set 25-19 before returning for the third set with the same psyche at the start, they found themselves ahead 5-2 early in the set but got cold towards the end of the set albeit held on to take a 2-1 lead after a 25-22 third set.
KIU came into the forth set on the edge, faltering wasn’t an option and they started strong from the word go, their service giving them the edge yet again.
Ongom was unstoppable as the side rallied on to take the set 25-18 to force a decisive set. UCU got off to a bad start in the decisive but came within touch (6-8) before the sides switched sides.
KIU maintained a 2-point lead until UCU came to within a point (13-14), Mutuyimana evaded the UCU block to find the ground with his hard hit to send KIU into the finals.
The other semifinal saw Nkumba University sail past Ndejje University in straight sets with Tanzanian Jackson Mari tearing the Luweero side apart.
KIU and Nkumba will now face off in the finals while UCU will take on Ndejje in the third place playoff.