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Holders Nkumba beaten in league opener
Ndejje’s Peace Busingye and Berindah Jepkirui (R) block a spike from Nkumba University’s Bitojoma Luwedde as teammate Mariam Nakamanya keeps her eyes on the ball.
PHOTO BY Ismail Kezaala
What you need to know:
Ndejje University were not so clinical but easily defeated Nkumba University as the league got underway.
Kampala
National Volleyball League women title holders Nkumba University will have to pull up their socks if they are to defend the championship this season.
The three-time defending champions were on Saturday outclassed by Ndejje University, losing 3-0 as the league got underway at Mubs grounds, Nakawa. Having lost several players at the end of last season, Nkumba coach Tony Lakony assembled a fresh-looking side but the performance must have left him with many questions.
Ndejje won the first set 25-20, eased to victory in the second 25-19 and the third 25-20.
“It is a disappointing result for us,” coach Lakony said. “But I also didn’t have a number of my first team players as they were doing examinations.”
Ndejje themselves were not as clinical in the encounter but school girl errors from their opponents earned them an easy win.
Going forward, however, Lakony believes his charges will turn the tide and defend their title. “We have played all the other teams at full strength in pre-season and we know how to approach them in the league,” Lakony promised.
Against sides like KCCA, KAVC and UCU, who recruited massively in the off-season, Nkumba will have to come up with their A game. “All we need is to qualify for the playoffs. At that stage, anything can happen,” added Lakony.
In the men’s category, Nkumba defeated Sport-S 3-1 (25-16, 16-25, 25-21 and 25-23).
