Volleyball team progresses in Malawi

Sports Reporter
THE curtain came down at the Group K Sub Zonal Senior Volleyball championships qualifiers in Lilongwe on Thursday with three countries making it to the next round set for Zambia and Botswana in October.Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia saw both their men’s and women’s teams rolling past their hosts to book a berth with other countries in the Zone in what is set to be a pulsating continental qualifier.

Malawi proved to be the whipping boys as they failed to win a single match in both categories.
The Zimbabwe women’s side ruled the roost with a near flawless performance that saw them winning all their matches.

Competition is getting stiffer in the zone as countries like Zambia and Malawi have heavily invested in sports development.
Zambia gave Zimbabwe the biggest scare with some spirited performances especially the men’s team that managed to snatch victory on the deciding set 15 – 10.

The men’s side beat their Malawian counterparts 3 – 1 in the first match before narrowly losing 3 – 2 to Zambia in the battle of the Zambezi.
Zimbabwe came back strongly against Namibia taking the match 3 – 1.

The women’s side was in a no-nonsense mood as they dismantled the hosts 3 – 0 in the first match before getting a hard fought 3 – 2 victory over Zambia.

Namibia were the last to feel the Zimbabwean women’s venom when they were soundly beaten 3 – 1 after having taken the first set.
A courageous fight by players like Most Valuable player of the tournament, Viola Muchaoona, Best Setter, Nomagugu Dube, Best Blocker, Media Mafuta, Proceed Mkonto and Prenade Makumborenga, won the competition for the Vulindlela Moyo coached Zimbabwe.

For the men, the Botswana based utility, Bruce Mpofu was voted the Most Valuable player.
He got able assistance from Simbarashe Chidziwa who finished the tournament as the Best Server Libero of the tournament, Muphrey Chindumo, Brighton Nguzi and Panashe Chiguta.

There will be stiffer competition at the next stage and head coach, Artwell Gororo, has conceded that experienced players will be called up as he had given a lot of rookies some game time at the qualifiers.

Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Malawi, Tandiwe Dumbutshena, and her staff who were always there to support the Zimbabwean teams throughout the Zonal qualifiers also organised a reception for the team before its departure today.

The future looks bright for Zimbabwean volleyball if the association keeps the momentum of development.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:
Women:
Server – Moono Carol(Zambia)
Setter – Nomagugu Dube(Zimbabwe)
Spiker – Elina Veijo(Namibia)
Blocker – Media Mafuta(Zimbabwe)
Libero – Moonga Rabecca(Zambia)
MVP – Viola Muchoona(Zimbabwe)
Men:
Server – Simbarashe Chidziwa(Zimbabwe)
Setter – Chanda Kangwa(Zambia)
Spiker – Rahabeam Hengari(Namibia)
Bloccker – Bbalo Chilala(Zambia)
Libero – Muphrey Chindumo(Zimbabwe)
MVP – Bruce Mpofu(Zimbabwe)