Moorosi Tsiane
Local volleyball giants, Redskins, dominated the Correctional Volleyball Extravaganza held from 3-5 October in Mbabane, Swaziland.
Redskins won both the female and male titles, which carried prize monies of M8000 each.
The tournament featured five female and nine male teams from Swaziland, Botswana and Lesotho.
Redskins female team coach, Tlhoriso Makenere, told the Sunday Express that they also came back with four individual awards after Tšepang Thafeng and Nthati Mohasele (both female) won best attacker and best setter of the tournament, respectively.
He added Rampesa Leabua and Teboho Maqekoane were crowned most valuable player and best setter of the tournament in the male category, respectively.
“Both teams did very well, which means a lot to us as a club. We also managed to win four individual awards at such a big tournament, which shows that volleyball is growing in leaps and bounds in this country,” Makenere said.
Makenere further said winning the tournament had given the players the much-needed confidence ahead of the 2014 Zone VI Club Volleyball Championship set for December in Mozambique.
“I am very satisfied with how we played because we were using this tournament as part of our preparations for the Zone VI Club Championship set for Maputo in two months’ time. I believe this win will boost the confidence of both teams as we head to Mozambique for the regional tournament.”
However, Makenere said Redskins were not yet at their best and would want to emulate their male team, which won the Zone VI tournament in 2010.
“We used to conquer the Zone VI, especially our male team, but our performance level dropped slightly over the past two years. I think we have regained that touch, although there is still room for improvement for both teams. Still, I am confident that we will do well in Mozambique, come December.”
Meanwhile, Makenere said A Division league matches which were supposed to be played this weekend have been postponed due to the funeral of Sebongile Nhlapo, who used to play for Redskins.