Mixed results for Highlanders in Volleyball League

THERE were mixed results for Bulawayo based Highlanders Volleyball Club in the Zimbabwe Volleyball Premier League (ZVPL) which started on Saturday at University of Zimbabwe (UZ) campus courts in Harare.

Bosso, as they are also known, played two matches, winning one and losing one. In their Saturday encounter, Highlanders beat Harare City 3-0, before going on to lose a Bulawayo derby against Chimoio 3-2 the following day.

In their 3-0 win over Harare City, Highlanders had closely contested set scores of 26-24, 25-18 and 25-23 to get their new campaign off to a flying start by collecting the maximum three points. Facing a wounded Chimoio who had lost their opener against Non-Academic Bachelors Association (NABA) 3-0 (15-25, 16-25, 18-25), both teams brought their best however, it was Chimoio who walked out as the champions.

Highlanders lost the first set 25-19 before going on to level matters in the second with a 25-18 score line. In the third set, Chimoio reclaimed the lead, recording a 25-20 win while Highlanders went on to level matters for the second time in the match, with a 25-20 win. The last set was a closely contested 15-13 win for Chimoio who then collected two points while Highlanders got one.

Highlanders coach, Chekuda “Chex” Makuyana, who took over the reins from Gift Chirebvu was impressed with how his charges played in the opening week of the league and are now shifting focus to the second round of fixtures.

“It was indeed a wonderful start for ZVPL. I am impressed with the performance of the team; however, we go back to the drawing board to prepare for the second round that will be held in Bulawayo on 24 and 25 June,” said Makuyana.

The Bulawayo based side will be looking at making it a memorable campaign after they finished outside the top four last year.

MSU dominated Diamonds to register another 3-0 victory, with Black Mambas losing 1-3 to Support Unit while UZ Wolves won 3-1 against Shalom.

Results

Men Day One: Bindura 2-3 UZ Wolves, Black Mambas 1-3 Support Unit, Blue Stars 3-0 Ruwa, Black Rhinos 3-1 Shalom, CUT 3-0 MSU, Chimoio 0-3 NABA, Harare City 0-3 Highlanders

Men Day Two: Bindura 3-1 Shalom, Beitbridge Eagles 0-3 Support Unit, Black Rhinos 2-3 NABA, Blue Stars 1-3 MSU, Chimoio 3-2 Highlanders, UZ Wolves 3-0 Shalom, CUT 0-3 Harare City

Women Day One: Black Mambas 0-3 UZ Wolves, Chimoio 0-3 Support Unit, CUT 3-0 Shalom, Diamonds 0-3 MSU, Harare City 0-3 Hawks, Black Mambas 1-3 Support Unit, UZ Wolves 3-1 Shalom

Women Day Two: CUT 3-1 Hawks, Diamonds 0-3 Harare City, Black Mambas 3-0 Shalom, Support Unit 3-1 MSU, UZ Wolves 3-0 Hawks, Chimoio 0-3 Harare City, CUT 3-0 Diamonds, Black Mambas 3-0 MSU.