adminGeophrey Sifani Sports Reporter
MPOPOMA High School scooped the girls’ title at the Nash national volleyball tournament after beating Mnene High of Mberengwa 3-0 in the final played in Marondera yesterday.
Cornway College of Mt Hampden in Harare won the boys’ title after beating Mutare Boys 3-0.
Mpopoma High girls dispatched Nyashanu High of Buhera 2-0 in the semi-finals to set a date with Mnene.
For their efforts, the Mpopoma High girls’ team walked away with $500, a floating trophy, two balls and t-shirts.
Mpopoma girls’ coach Georgina Chauke said they were happy to be crowned national champions adding that they had played well and controlled every game.
“We’re very happy our girls played well. We were all taken by surprise by their performance, but we’re happy to be the national volleyball champions. We’re hoping to retain the title for many years,” said Chauke, who was also named the girls’ coach of the tournament and awarded a trophy and certificate.
The Nash head in charge of volleyball in Bulawayo, Ntombizodwa Gumede, applauded the Mpopoma girls’ for winning.
“We’re very proud of what they achieved. Bulawayo has been lagging behind, but Mpopoma has changed the course of events. We’re now better than in the past,” said Gumede.
Rosemary Ncube of Mpopoma was named the tournament’s most valuable player and selected into the Zimbabwe team for the Confederation of School Sports Associations of Southern Africa (Cossasa) Games set for August.
Her teammate Polite Mpofu was awarded a trophy and certificate for being the competition’s best setter.
While the girls excelled, the Mpopoma High boys’ team found the going tough and were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Mutare Boys, who beat them 0-2.
Their coach Cornwell Mpofu said although they left the tournament empty-handed, they had learnt a lot.
“We played well and had good game management. The tournament was tough and we’re happy we made it to the quarter-finals,” said Dube.
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter