Stars Go Down Fighting To Kutlwano
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday May 9, 2016 14:58
Kutlwano however proved their mettle to win the match 3-1.
Defending champions, Kutlwano were quicker off the blocks and Stars lost the first serve to their opponents after hitting the net.
Taolo Lebakeng of Stars took a long jump hitting the ball right into Kutlwano blockers in the 5th minute.
Kutlwano responded by scoring a point through Tiroyaone Otimile’s spike a few minutes later. Stars kept coming, forcing Kutlwano coach, Dopp Popo to call for a time out in the 12th minute.
The recess only ignited the skill of Phemelo Lekoko who showed no respect for Kutlwano, hitting them on the three-metre line.
The scorer picked the moment of the game as Otimile was at it with a well connected spike after receiving a pass from Martin Zulu in the middle of the park in the 17th minute.
Kutlwano gained control of the match and by the 19th minute the score line was 20-19 in their favour.
‘The Big House’ went on to win the set 1-0.
The second set started with Kutlwano having an upper hand with Otimile registering a point. Before long, the respected Shadrack Kapeko rose above the rest to smash down for a point.
After a lot of action on both sides, Tebogo Ralebala answered for Stars a few minutes later. Stars went on to win the second set to make it 1-1.
The going seemed to be tough for Otimile as Stars dealt with his attempts in the third set. On the other side, Lekoko was a thorn in the flesh of Kutlwano as his spikes were too hot to handle.
Despite that, Kutlwano rose to the occasion to walk away with the set.
Speaking to Monitor Sport, Stars coach, Kealeboga Mmekwane said he was impressed by his charges’ display.
He said his players showed a lot of character despite the loss.
“My libero did not have a good game and that made it difficult for us to play.
Most of the balls ended on the three-metre line. Our pass was also weak and it killed us,” explained Mmekwane.
For his part, Popo said it is always tough playing against Stars. He said a win meant they started the season well.
“It is never an easy game when we play them. I did not expect my players to make the mistakes they made especially during service. We lost many points due to service errors,” he said.
In other results in the men’s league, Police VI beat BDF VI 3-1 while in the women’s section, Dynamites prevailed 3-0 over Mag Stimela and Mafolofolo saw-off BDF VI 3-1.
Kutlwano: Libion Machae, Meshack Mutambirwa, Thabang Ramochene, Otimile, Zulu, Kapeko.
Coach: Popo
Stars: Ralebala, Taolo Lebakeng, Lekoko, Lesenamore Mudongo, Molebi Rabosigo, Ngakuatue Ndiarakana.
Coach: Mmekwane.