Africa-Press – Rwanda. Gisagara VC saw their unbeaten start to the season brought to an end by APR VC who crushed them in three sets (25-23, 25-17, 25-19) in the fifth round of the national volleyball league at Petit Stade Gymnasium on Friday, November 14.
The reigning champions lit up the league’s first sell-out at the 1,000-seater gymnasium, Minister of Sports Nelly Mukaziyire among other guests of honour.
Sammy Mulinge surprised the crowd by fielding receiving attacker Yves Mutabazi in his starting 6 against Gisagara VC. The decision was initially doubted but proved right the star made a crucial impact as the club won the first set 25-23 in a close contest.
APR started the better side but many were expecting GIsagara VC to respond in the second set but failing to make tactical adjustments in reception and blocks cost Yakan Guma and his men the set which APR won 250-17 in a convincing way.
Gisagara were torn apart in every department of the court as APR dominated the decisive third set which they won 25-19 to send fans into a frenzy.
The win helped APR recover from their recent loss to Kepler in the third round of the league but also gave Gisagara VC a reality check after going four matches unbeaten.
Mutabazi opened up about what many considered as his full return to the game.
“This game brought back the joy and love of volleyball after being away from the court for the entire second phase of last season,” he told Times Sport.
In the earlier fixture of the day, Rwanda Energy Group (REG) dominated Rwanda Polytechnic Ngoma in straight sets (25-14, 25-12, 27-25) while in women’s league, Police WVC toppled Florien Siborurema’s Kepler WCV in the tiebreak after five sets of spectacles.
Kepler were leading Police 2-1 (32-30, 17-25, 25-19) before the latter made a powerful comeback to win the fourth set 25-15 and force the game into the tiebreak which they also won 15-12.
The spectacle continues on Saturday, November 15.
Fixtures
Women
Ruhango WVC vs APR WVC – 10 am
EAUR) Vs RRA 12 pm
Men
Kirehe VC vs APR VC – 2 pm
Gisagara VC vs KVC– 4 pm.
Kepler VC vs EAUR – 6 pm.
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