Ndejje Elites registered the first piece of silverware by winning the Joan Cox tournament at Gayaza High School last weekend.
The university side, winners of last year’s women’s league, started the year with a strong message to their challengers.
Team captain Belinda Jepkirui may have seen red in the fourth set of the finals against Sport-S but she was the center of excitement with her attack on the front court as well as her court cover at the back.
Johnson Kawenyera’s charges edged Sport-S 3-2 in a nerve-wrecking final and start the busy volleyball calendar a step ahead of rivals Vision Volleyball Camp and Sport-S.
Consistent
When the other two giants, VVC and Sport-S, were busy flexing with Uganda Volleyball Federation last year, Ndejje chose to turn a deaf ear to the politics and play volleyball.
VVC and Sport-S were then sent packing from the league for forfeiting three games and Ndejje, with barely any competition, went on to lift the league title.
They followed that up with the Eastern Africa University Games title in Kenya and Joan Cox is the first as they look to dominate ladies’ volleyball this year.
Rolling back the years
In a bid to salvage their waning glory days, Ndejje recalled center Saidat Nnungi and Maureen Mwamula for the 2016 season.
The pair had joined KAVC after graduating from the Luwero campus but made a U-turn and returned to their parent side to help them to the league title.
This year, another old girl has returned home. Setter Jessica Kaidu, who had moved to Sport-S, is back to the Luwero hills to fill the void left by Winnie Nakabuubi.
Long Journey
By winning the first title on the calendar, Ndejje have clearly sent a message to the other sides.
VVC signed 2015 league MVP Margaret Namyalo and Irene Amoding from Ndejje and Nkumba University respectively to arrest the trophy drought that saw them winning only the Joan Cox tournament last year.
On the other hand, Sport-S ripped VVC of their senior player and setter Shamim Makongoro to replace Yvette Ighihozo who returned to Rwanda to play for APR.
The signings by both sides represent the desire for success for, especially Sport-S, who are searching for their maiden league title.