EVA holds first open tournament
It was indeed an exhibition of volleyball of a very high standard
The Indoor Sports Complex was the host venue for the Emnambithi Volleyball Association’s (EVA) first open tournament on Saturday, with a total of 16 clubs participating.
However, the highlight of the day was the performance of teams from outside Ladysmith.
These teams featured no less than three South African players and 10 provincial players.
It was indeed an exhibition of volleyball of a very high standard.
It was not only great competition for our local clubs, but also a learning process to improve our own standards.
The tournament also hosted development teams from various wards within our local municipality.
The partnership between the EVA and Emnambithi/Ladysmith Municipality is proving to be exciting and this was evident with the large turnout of spectators at the stadium.
In the female category, local club Swanky 6 lost to Newcastle Volleyball Association in the first semi final, while in the second semi-final, local clubs Team 149 and Canvas & Tent battled it out for a place in the final.
Team 149 proved too strong for newcomers Canvas & Tent.
In the final, Newcastle (which features six provincial women players) just managed to defeat Team 149 by two sets to one.
In the male category, DUT Volleyball Club (Durban University of Technology) proved to be the toast of the tournament. They destroyed all clubs in the round robin competition. In the first semi-final, DUT defeated Avengers VC by two sets to nil. In the all-local second semi-final,
Team 150 took on an in-form Lilani VC. The spectators were engrossed in a very close-fought encounter, and even the deputy mayor was caught up in the thrilling effort by both clubs. Lilani VC eventually defeated Team 150.
In the finals, our boys gave a good account of themselves, but DUT proved to be too strong for them and beat them by two sets to nil.
The ‘best spiker’, ‘best setter’ and ‘most valuable player of the tournament’ came from DUT.
EVA president Gordon Kathan was full of praise for the local clubs who bravely faced the challenge of taking on professional players from the visiting clubs.
He also placed on record his sincere thanks to Emnambithi/Ladysmith Municipality for their continued support.
Special thanks goes to Mr Size Vardhan from Volleyball South Africa, who was present, and Mr Jay Mannikam from the KZN Department of Sport & Recreation.
