Mafolofolo, Police victorious as Kutlwano stumbles
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday September 3, 2024 16:32
The games were part of the ongoing Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) league. Kalavango and Mafolofolo women faced off in a match that was expected to be a thriller. Kalavango depended on the experience of team captain, Monica Alfred, and national team player, Ngirl Wright while Mafolofolo relied on the hard hitting Chada Majaga and the experience of Tsholofelo Oganne. Mafolofolo did not waste time as they ran away with the first set, 25-18. The side went on to start the second set showing the intention of running away with it. Queen Matlhare extended the lead to 3-0 in the opening minutes. The side was unable to capitalise as the serve by Majaha hit the net and Wabongwa Boima's attempt was out of play. Kalavango pushed hard to settle matters at 4-4 and went on to take the lead at 9-7.
Majaga rose above the net to punish Kalavango with a strong spike to give her side the lead. The two sides continued pushing for dominance but Mafolofolo had an upper hand to win the set 28-26. Kalavango had to dig deep to win the third set 27-25 only for their opponents to recover and win set four 26-24. Mafolofolo won the match 3-1. In the battle for supremacy, Police VI women walloped their long time rivals, Kutlwano 3-1 in an electrifying encounter. Police won the first set 25-13, but Kutlwano pulled back the second set to win it 25-17, only for Police to make a comeback and claim third set 25-18 with fourth set also going their way, 25-17. The dominance continued on the men’s side with Police winning the encounter 3-0. The side claimed all sets, first set 25-20, second set 25-20 and third set 25-22. Prior to the Kutlwano match, Police walloped Dikwena 3-0 in a one sided affair clash (Police 25-4 Dikwena, Police 25-4 Dikwena, Police 25-9 Dikwena). Speaking to SportMonitor, Mafolofolo head coach, Boitumelo Botsang, said when the league started, his players were rusty but they picked up in the second game of the league.
He said his side did not play well against Kalavango especially the attack and their court movement was slow. “Our game plan, as much as it was windy, we wanted to receive our balls a bit slow to give our setter a chance to set the ball perfectly to our attackers. There was nothing we could do for a quick play due to weather conditions. But I think we stuck to our plan although we did not attack the way we wanted,” Botsang said. Kalavango head coach, Kabelo Marumo, said his players have not reached the level that he wants, as most of the experienced players are not yet fit. He explained that they are not worried because they will improve as the league progresses. “We want to introduce speed in our volleyball. Our target is to be in the top eight by the end of first round,” he said. Meanwhile, Kutlwano women’s coach, Dopp Popo, said they did not play well as they did not have more variation on attack. “I guess those are some of the things we need to work on as a team. We seriously need depth in our team,” Popo said.
Other results: Men: Serowe: Spiking Stars 3-1 Motlakase Motlakase 1-3 Prisons Prisons 0-3 Spiking Stars SSKB: BDF 3-0 Yaros Kalavango 3-0 Itekeng Kalavango 3-1 Mafolofolo
Women: Mafolofolo 3-0 Dikwena