Intensity and Drama Mark Round 2 of the MTC Volleyball National League
Round 2 of the MTC Volleyball National League delivered a mix of intensity and drama at the Ondangwa Tennis Courts on Saturday. Teams showcased their determination and resilience as they began to assert themselves in the early stages of the season.
In the women’s division, Blaze Access Volleyball Club stood out with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over NDF Phoenix in a five-set thriller. This win came after an earlier straight-sets win over Afrocat SC Ladies, highlighting Blaze’s strong performance so far.
Blaze Access coach Henk Broner emphasized the significance of the win, crediting the team’s spirit and perseverance.
“It was a nail-biting win. We got it by the skin of our teeth. Credit to the fighting spirit of the team; they were not really favourites, but the girls never gave up,” he said.
Defending champions Revivals Volleyball Club also made a statement with a 3-1 victory over NDF Phoenix. This win demonstrated their composure following their opening round defeat to Nampol, marking their first loss since the league’s inception.
Revivals captain Nokokure Kambatuku spoke about the team’s focus on bouncing back from the setback.
“It was a heavy loss, let’s not lie. To be undefeated for two years and then lose in the first round is a lot, but we are doing our best to bounce back and give this season our best,” she said.
Unam Queens continued their dominant run with a 3-0 win over Kudos Sports Club, while NamPol Volleyball Club cruised to a 3-0 victory against Six Stars Volleyball Club.
Men’s Division Highlights
In the men’s division, several teams recorded solid 3-1 victories. NamPower Volleyball Club, NamPol Volleyball Club, NDF Raptors, and defending champions Namibian Correctional Service all showed strong performances.
NDF Raptors were particularly impressive in their win over Brutal Back Volleyball Club, recovering from a slow start to take control of the match. Their captain, Daniel Sindano, highlighted the importance of adapting to conditions and improving their passing.
“The game was a bit tough. Playing outside is always a problem for us because we train indoors, but we picked up in the second set and gave all our energy to win,” he said.
Despite the loss, Brutal Back showed promise, especially after taking the opening set. Coach Brian Mpote pointed out that leadership on the court was lacking in key moments.
“We played very well, but we lacked a leader on the court. I think that’s what contributed to the loss,” he said.
Defending champions Namibian Correctional Service defeated Calvary Eagles Sports Club 3-1 in a controlled performance. However, their opponents showed resilience throughout the contest.
Calvary Eagles captain Heiki Hamunyera acknowledged the team’s improvement despite the defeat.
“We came into this game more prepared. It wasn’t a walk in the park for them and we showed that we can compete, but we’ll go back to the drawing board,” he said.
Controversial Match Ends in Forfeit
The day ended in controversy when the match between Unam Hard Hitters and Afrocat SC-C was halted due to a dispute over visibility conditions. Afrocat SC raised concerns over poor lighting, arguing that their players could not properly track the ball. League officials maintained that conditions were playable.
After deliberations, Afrocat SC-C forfeited the match, handing Unam the victory. This result was later confirmed by the Namibia Volleyball Federation.
Upcoming Matches
The next round of matches is scheduled to take place at Katima Mulilo from 20 to 23 May. Teams will look to build on their performances and continue their campaigns in the MTC Volleyball National League.
