MOLEPOLOLE: Kutlwano men’s volleyball team won this year’s Capital Motors tournament after beating Police VI 3-1 here yesterday. They walked away with P35, 000 with Police pocketing P20, 000. On the other side, Spiking Stars got themselves P15, 000 for finishing third.
Kutlwano showed the intention to walk away with the title by fielding their top rated players in the starting line up.
The likes of Shadrack Kapeko, Libion Machae and Tiroyaone Otimile tore Police apart from the first set. A service by Otimile in the ninth minute gave Kutlwano the lead and they never looked back.
They won the set 25-23. The second set started with both sides in a neck-to-neck encounter. Ephraim Kuteene’s long strike gave Police a 6-7 lead, but that did not last as Kutlwano fought back. A few minutes into the set, Machae came in and destroyed Police’s defence with his hard balls in the centre of Police.
Kutlwano took the score to 18-16 and frustration started creeping on Police VI as the Cops started making several mistakes. However, they quickly bounced back and the two sides were at some point tied at 21-21 although Kutlwano eventually won the set. Police went on to win the third set 25-16, but that was not enough as Kutlwano won the fourth set to clinch the title. Kutlwano coach, Isaac Samuel was happy that the game went according to plan.
He said the players did well despite the few mistakes they committed. He said the major challenge was concentration at crucial moments of the match. “Our game plan was to attack Police centre. That worked for us and they were unable to stop us. I have young players who are fast and have quick service. I used that to our advantage,” said Samuel. He pointed out that the third set is always difficult.
Police coach, Tshepho Iketeng said his players were under pressure and that led to many mistakes. He said Kutlwano is a good side and nothing can be taken away from them.
Kutlwano: Kapeko, Machae, Otimile, Tyiyapo Madeluka, Reabetswe Jaba Meshack Mutambirwa.
Police: Alec Engleton, Kesego Kewakae, Kuteene, Happy Ribbin, Shaba Matlho and Nonofo Motswetla.
