Umtshezi Volleyball Association (UVA) held its annual Open Volleyball Tournament on Saturday at Lambert Park.
“Wow” is the first word that comes to mind. We are reaching new heights even beyond our own expectations, every year the tournament is growing in statue and competitiveness.

We had a record 13 teams participating this year. There were nine male teams and for the first time, a female category, consisting of four teams that participated in the tournament. Teams from Pietermaritzburg, Ladysmith, Newcastle, Johannesburg and Estcourt graced the tournament with their presence.

The tournament was fiercely contested in both categories during the group stages as well as the knock-out stages.
All teams toiled hard in the extreme heat conditions but the standard of volleyball was never compromised. It gave fans and fellow players something to cheer about during the entire duration of the tournament.

The female category was hotly contested with four teams fighting tooth and nail to win a place in the final.
Our own Predators team played exceptionally well and booked their spot in the final after beating team Swanky from Ladysmith. The other semi-final saw team UKZN from Pietermaritzburg taking on team Trob Volliers from Ladysmith. Both teams gave it their all but eventually team Trob Volliers proved too strong and progressed to the final.
The final was as competitive as you can experience in terms of female volleyball. The game ebbed to and fro with both teams canceling each other out in the first two sets.

This set up the platform for an entrapping final set, which was nerve-wrecking for both players and spectators. Eventually team Trob Volliers held their nerve and managed to overcome predators. Both teams received trophies for the endeavor and Trob Volliers walked away with the coveted title of female champions and the cash prize of R1 000. The male category, which is always very competitive lived up to expectation. Teams participated in a group format first, as teams tried to outwit each other to claim a spot in the quarter final. Once again the players endured extreme weather conditions but that did not stop them from giving off their best. As dusk settled the male category reached the semi-final stage.
Under floodlights team Holmes from Pietermaritzburg took on team Roofers from Newcastle. Team Roofers tried their best to upset the more fancied team Holmes but eventually fell short to a well organised team Holmes.
The second semi-final saw team 150 from Ladysmith take on team Baseline from Gauteng. This was undoubtedly the longest game of the tournament.

After two closely contested sets the game went into a deciding third set. All playing and watching were on the edge of their seats as each team tried to take the ascendancy in the third set. The set went down to the wire, which saw Team 150 pip team Baseline by the narrowest of margins 17-16. This set up a mouth watering final between Team 150 and team Holmes.

Team 150 gave it their all, trying ever trick in the book but the composure, ability and power of team Holmes was too much. Team Holmes was crowned 2014 UVA champions walking away with the cash prize of R2 500 and the floating trophy. Both teams also received outstanding trophies. The association would like to thank their major sponsor Umtshezi Municipality for finally coming on board to finance a tournament of this nature. We would also like to thank all those who assisted in making this tournament a resounding success.

The chairperson of the association, Kashen Naidoo, said: “Volleyball is reaching new heights in Estcourt” and welcomed the support of the municipality but added it should not end there. Together the partnership can grow to ensure sport as a whole can combat all barriers and challenges we face in every day life. He went on to say that beside this being a sporting activity, we as UVA are indirectly marketing the town,as the team from Gauteng staying at one of our game reserves and were pleasantly surprised by the hospitality and promised to come back even for weekend getaways.

Mr Naidoo went on to say that although the municipality financially assisted, it would have been a welcomed sight to see some of our local politicians and members from local municipality at the exciting tournament. He also added that the progress of UVA junior team is a very big positive and augers well for the future. Big thanks must go to Mr Maniram for assisting with the juniors. Finally Mr Naidoo would like to thank all executive members from UVA, the players, family and friends for making this a memorable tournament. He has asked residents of Estcourt to watch this space for upcoming UVA events. Just to mention a few, primary school open tournament – October 25, car show and family day – November 9 and presentation dinner and dance – December 6.