Volleyball League Results:
M: Nemostars 1-3 Sky (25-23,19-25,22-25,15-25)
M: VVC 0-3 UCU (15-25,15-25,22-25)
W: Mulago 0-3 UCU (15-25,06-25,13-25)
Cathbert Malinga dominated the highlights on Wednesday night as he inspired Sky Volleyball club at a 3-1 win over Nemostars in the National Volleyball League.
Nemostars dominated the first set with inspirational captain George Aporu and Tom Amou doing most of the damage on offense. Sky themselves didn’t give in easily as Malinga and Emma Kato often obliterated the Nemostars net defence. Amou’s powerful attack from position 4 ensured there was no deuce as Andrew Okapis’ charges took the highly contested first set 25-23.
The second set started with Nemo taking an early 2-0 lead but Sky kept them within touching distance as their defence on the net troubled the defending champions. The two sides exchanged leads with Nemo recovering from a 3 point deficit (11-8) to take the lead (14-13).
Sky then exploded to regain a 3-point advantage (20-17) and force Nemostars into a timeout. Malinga proved to be unstoppable on offence as Aporu and Amou struggled on the other side of the net. At 23-19, Sky were almost there and Malinga’ block on Amou was followed by a miscalculated dump from Aporu to level the scores at 1-1.
Sky manned the first bit of the third set and took a 7-4 lead as Malinga continued to dictate matters. At 3-8, Nemo needed to regroup and Okapis called for a timeout to forge a way forward.
The 2014 KAVC International tournament winners took a 13-8 lead before Nemostars made 3 unanswered points to keep them in range. The Kololo outfit then leveled the set at 13-all before Sky recharged to lead 16-14. Nemo played the chasing game from there onwards, Sky creating a 4-point difference (22-18) before Nemostars reduced the gap to a single point (22-21), forcing Sky into a timeout.
At 23-22, Nemo were still in it but setter Smith Okumu served into the net to give Sky a 2-point advantage. Malinga ensured Sky took the set with a dump over Aporu and Okumu give Sky the set.
With Sky leading 2-1, Nemo had no option but to win the fourth set and force a decisive. The start wasn’t bad as they led 4-2 but Sky recovered and took a 6-4 lead. Kato blocked Aporu to give Sky a 3-point advantage (9-6). The 3-point lead became 5 (14-9) with Malinga still tormenting Nemostars.
Nemo were at sixes and sevens as they struggled in every aspect. Sky stretched the lead to 7 (17-10) and Okapis made use of a timeout after which Sky remained in charge taking a 20-11 lead.
Nemostars barely played thereafter and Sky went on to take the set 25-15 and win the game 3-1.