Promoted sides break into VNL top three

The newly promoted sides in the MTC Volleyball National League (VNL) have wasted little time making their mark, climbing into third place in both divisions during last weekend’s third round in Katima Mulilo.Held at the University of Namibia (Unam) Katima Mulilo Campus court, the round saw Rundu sides Blaze Aces in the women’s division and Brutal Pact in the men’s division shake up the standings in the country’s top-tier competition.Blaze Aces were fourth heading into the round, but picked up a straight-sets (3-0) victory over Six Stars and claimed one point from a 3-2 loss to Unam Queens.Six Stars did not turn up in Katima and forfeited their two matches in the round, handing Aces and their other opponents, Afrocat Ladies, maximum points through 25-0, 25-0, 25-0 forfeit wins.How Blaze Aces advancedThe points gained over the round saw Blaze Aces leapfrog Queens into third place with 12 points after seven matches.Queens failed to hold on to third place after a 3-1 upset defeat to Namibian Defence Force (NDF) Phoenixes, further hampering their chances after dropping a point in their 3-2 win over Aces earlier.Their two points from the round could only take them as far as 11 points, leaving them fourth with a game in hand, having played six matches.Another newly promoted side in the women’s section that shook up the standings was Afrocat Ladies.Despite a 3-1 loss to second-placed Revivals, Afrocat Ladies’ maximum-point forfeit win over Six Stars helped them leapfrog Kudos into sixth place.Afrocat Ladies now sit on five points after six matches, with Kudos in seventh on four points after six matches.Unchanged standingsThe rest of the standings remained the same from the second round held in Ondangwa in April, with NamPol still leading unbeaten with 18 points after six matches.They won both their matches in the round in straight sets, beating Kudos and NDF Phoenixes.Revivals sit second with 15 points after six matches, having beaten Afrocat Ladies 3-1 and Kudos 3-0.In the men’s section, newly promoted Brutal Pact also shook up the standings, moving from fourth to third after beating Afrocat C 3-0 and Unam Hard Hitters 3-1.Brutal Pact leapfrogged NamPol after accumulating 12 points from six matches, with the latter sitting fourth on 11 points after six matches.Ready to fight for top spotsReflecting on the feat as a newly promoted side, Brutal Pact vice captain Ethen Nkondo Mabuku described being among the top three teams in the country as unbelievable.“At the same time, it feels earned. We came into the league as a newly promoted side, and most people thought we were going to struggle or simply survive,” he said.He further noted that belief in themselves and their systems from the outset is what has kept them competitive, allowing them not only to survive, but to thrive.“We put in hard work every day in training. To stand amongst the top teams at this stage is a proud moment for the whole of Kavango Volleyball Association, our coaches and our supporters, especially our supporters,” he said.He added that what made the achievement even more special is the mentality within the squad, which is full of young athletes who are hungry to compete and prove that they belong at the highest level.“We still have a long way to go in the season. We respect every opponent, but we fear no one. The confidence in our team is very high. We’re ready to fight for top spots,” he said.How Brutal Pact advancedNamPol failed to maintain third place and lost it to Brutal Pact after dropping a point in a 3-2 win over NamPower.NamPower later beat Calvary Eagles 3-1 to remain fifth in the league on nine points after six matches.The rest of the standings remained unchanged from the second round, with NDF Raptors still top with 17 points after six matches.Raptors beat NamPol 3-1 before edging second-placed Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) 3-2 in a scrappy five-setter, with NCS taking one point from the defeat.NCS later swept Afrocat C 3-0 to maintain second place with 16 points after six matches.Another encounter in the round saw Calvary Eagles beat Hard Hitters 3-1, retaining sixth place on six points after six matches. Hard Hitters remain seventh with three points after seven matches.– mariud@nsh.com.na

Promoted sides break into VNL top three

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Promoted sides break into VNL top three

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