Beach volleyball action far from the seashore at UL courts
The beach volleyball event, which held University of Limpopo (UL), was used as a preparatory event ahead of several beach volleyball tournaments planned to be staged in the province in the next months.
LIMPOPO – BEACH volleyball far from the seashore sounds more like a polar bear at the equator.
But this was not an awkward scene at the University of Limpopo (UL) on Saturday as players dished out some glimpses of brilliance – much to the excitement of their fans.
The event, which held under the auspices of Capricorn District Volleyball (CDV), was used as a preparatory event ahead of several beach volleyball tournaments planned to be staged in the province in the next months.
The hosting side UL, used the tournament as a catalyst for their participation in the Varsity Beach Volleyball tournament, which takes place in Cape Town on April 22 and 23.
Later in September, the district governing body, CDV, will host a similar tournament in Senwabarwana, formerly known as Bochum in the Blouberg municipality.
In the women’s category, the Seshego Spiders duo of Matsela Matsia and Karabo Makgato snatched a surprise victory right under the noses of tournament firm favourites, Charity Baloi and Maureen Mnisi of the UL in an emotion-charged grand final encounter.
Matsia and Makgato are youngsters who are still at a developmental stage and their victory over experienced Baloi and Mnisi will definitely be a much-needed morale booster in the upcoming tournaments.
Boloi and Mnisi went into this clash with a swagger after their historic semi-final finishing during last year’s University Sport of South Africa event.
There was also action galore in the men’ section after UL’s Pester Shivhuri and Nathaniel Rafapa clobbered Asiti Pheeha and Mpho Selokela of Polokwane Volleyball Club in another battle of attrition.
UL coach Jacob Thamago, reckons the team’s victory over the weekend is a step in the right direction as they prepare for the varsity games.
“Last weekend’s result is clear confirmation that we are on the right path. However, there are few things that still need to be fixed in the game plan. The players still have to acclimatise themselves with different weather conditions,” Thamago says.
