Mafolofolo women are Mascom champions
MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent
| Monday November 21, 2011 00:00
Mafolofolo women are Mascom champioNS
Mosah Mokganedi
Correspondent
THEBEPHATSHWA: Mafolofolo women are this year's Mascom volleyball league champions after beating defending champions Kutlwano 3-1 in a tightly contested finale that saw both teams needing a tie breaker to decide the winner. They bagged P65 000 for their efforts, while runners up, Kutlwano, get P55 000.
Even during the tie break set adrenaline was high as the pendulum swung both ways. But thanks to the last minute exploits of attacker Gaoleseletse 'Lizzy Gasekgonwe , Mafolofolo took the decisive set with a slim 29-27. As the winners were declared, Mafolofolo players and fans all hoisted their magical attacker on their shoulders for her brilliant display that made the difference for the gold and black side.
Both teams seemed to approach the final game of the Mascom Volleyball League season with respect for each other as they played with caution to avoid falling into traps, but the referee also seemed to be under pressure to perform as cautions were flashed at players, resulting in both teams' play boring, especially in the early sets. Just like two weeks ago when she single-handedly destroyed Kutlwano to win Mafolofolo women's Capital Motors title, 'Lizzy Gasekgonwe' s last minute exploits made the difference yet again.
The game was characterised by too much caution by the referee and players looked timid to express themselves something that affected the flow and intensity of the game. However, it was clear form the start that it was Kutlwano that was under more pressure as they took long to settle. Affectionately known as Big House, Kutlwano managed to pick up pieces in the dying minutes of the first set but it was already late as Mafolofolo won the set by a slim 25-23.
In the second set Big House improved their attack with the youthful Tracy Chaba giving opponents a tough time. Kutlwano's hard work paid off as they romped home 25-22.
The women in gold and black, however picked up the pieces to take the third set. The decisive set proved to be the most action packed as both teams could not be separated for the most part. The breath-taking set ended with Mafolofolo winning 29-27. For their efforts the champions were rewarded with P65,000 while runner ups settled for P55,000.
Kutlwano coach Isaac Samuel believed that Mafolofolo did not win on the day because there were a better team.'It was a game that could have gone either way,' he said. He said the pressure that they had comes naturally with games of such nature adding that the pressure was caused by what was at stake. Samuel said the absence of attacker Tebogo Sejewe had an impact on the way his team played.
However, Mafolofolo coach Kabo Ntshinogang admitted that the game was tough but said they won the game because there were a better team. Ntshinogang said his player's performance exceeded his expectations explaining that the services of a psychologist that they engaged worked wonders for them.
They bagged P65 000 for their efforts, while runners up, Kutlwano, get P55 000.Even during the tie break set adrenaline was high as the pendulum swung both ways.
But thanks to the last minute exploits of attacker Gaoleseletse 'Lizzy Gasekgonwe , Mafolofolo took the decisive set with a slim 29-27.
As the winners were declared, Mafolofolo players and fans all hoisted their magical attacker on their shoulders for her brilliant display that made the difference for the gold and black side.Both teams seemed to approach the final game of the Mascom Volleyball League season with respect for each other as they played with caution to avoid falling into traps, but the referee also seemed to be under pressure to perform as cautions were flashed at players, resulting in both teams' play boring, especially in the early sets.
Just like two weeks ago when she single-handedly destroyed Kutlwano to win Mafolofolo women's Capital Motors title, 'Lizzy Gasekgonwe' s last minute exploits made the difference yet again. The game was characterised by too much caution by the referee and players looked timid to express themselves something that affected the flow and intensity of the game.
However, it was clear form the start that it was Kutlwano that was under more pressure as they took long to settle. Affectionately known as Big House, Kutlwano managed to pick up pieces in the dying minutes of the first set but it was already late as Mafolofolo won the set by a slim 25-23. In the second set Big House improved their attack with the youthful Tracy Chaba giving opponents a tough time. Kutlwano's hard work paid off as they romped home 25-22.
The women in gold and black, however picked up the pieces to take the third set. The decisive set proved to be the most action packed as both teams could not be separated for the most part. The breath-taking set ended with Mafolofolo winning 29-27. For their efforts the champions were rewarded with P65,000 while runner ups settled for P55,000.
Kutlwano coach Isaac Samuel believed that Mafolofolo did not win on the day because there were a better team.'It was a game that could have gone either way,' he said. He said the pressure that they had comes naturally with games of such nature adding that the pressure was caused by what was at stake.
Samuel said the absence of attacker Tebogo Sejewe had an impact on the way his team played. However, Mafolofolo coach Kabo Ntshinogang admitted that the game was tough but said they won the game because there were a better team.
Ntshinogang said his player's performance exceeded his expectations explaining that the services of a psychologist that they engaged worked wonders for them.