National Volleyball League ends at Swakop 

The MTC Volleyball National League season is set to conclude at the MTC Dome at Swakopmund this weekend.

The Namibian Correctional Service (NCS), who are two matches away from becoming the first men’s champions of the league in its inaugural season, remain unbeaten and atop the standings with 33 points.

They are followed by the NDF Raptors on 31 points, while Khomas Nampol lie three points back in third spot.

Secretary general of the Namibia Volleyball Federation Festus Hamukwaya says while the NCS is in pole position the outcome will go down to the wire.

“The league or the title doesn’t have a winner yet, especially on the male side. Correctional Service are ahead with two points, NDF is second, and have three more games, and Correctional Service only have two games.

“Khomas Nampol have games in hand and they’re also just three points away from NDF. These top-three teams, none of them is at liberty to make any mistake. Otherwise, you lose your spot,” he says.

The slim margins in the run-in and incentives at stake will make for top-shelf volleyball games this weekend.

“I can assure you my expectation now is to see explosive sportsmanship games at Swakopmund. We expect it to be very competitive and very impressive,” Hamukwaya says.

“And it’s going to be very, very exciting, I can assure you. We’re going to see volleyball at another level in this beautiful country,” he says.

Hamukwaya doubles as coach of log leaders NCS.

“The pressure is high because of being on top, being the only team that is undefeated until now, because the rest of the clubs have nothing to lose,” he says.

“They’re the only ones to prove a point. And the pressure that is on NCS is that if you win the title, nobody’s going to hand it over to you. You need to claim it and you need to get it either by force or by fire.”

Raptors head coach Eddy Uyepa says they need to be at their best to ensure they make the most of their chance to win the title.

“It depends on the team itself. If the team starts with high morale, without making a lot of mistakes and defending the net, then you have a chance to win,” he says.

“In volleyball, once you lose focus, even just for 30 seconds, you will lose a lot of points. That’s why we have been addressing this issue of defense, telling our players to be ready and focused every time,” Uyepa says.

Similarly, Khomas Nampol coach Joseph Amakali hopes for a flawless performance from his charges this weekend despite the absence of several regulars through injury.

“The team has prepared well, but I have three of my key players who are injured and will not be able to play.

“As a result, our strategy is to play well and hope for a positive result at the end of the day,’’ says Amakali, who has become accustomed to missing key players due to injury.

“All teams are a threat. We are not focusing on the title this time around, because we lost a match during the first round when I had an incomplete team.”

The first contest features NDF Raptors against Nampol Otjozondjupa (NOVC), before Keetmanshoop Correctional Facility KCF VC) take on hosts Coastal Warriors (CWVC).

After that, NCS play their first game of the day as they face Unam Hard Hitters.

The final game on Court A will see NDF Raptors battling Khomas Nampol.

The action starts at 11h00 on Court B, with the Hard Hitters taking on Calvary Eagles Sport Club, followed by KCFVC versus NOVC.

In the women’s category, the games will be played on three courts simultaneously.

Ballbusters will be up against Namibian Navy as Beaufort meet Six Stars and Khomas Nampol face Kudos in the opening clashes.

Then Revivals will take on Namibian Navy to conclude the day’s action.

On Sunday, four matches will take place in both the men’s and women’s sections.

Ballbusters will get the ball rolling with Nampol Otjozondjupa, while log leaders Khomas Nampol face Revivals, with Beaufort playing the Namibian Navy and Six Stars doing battle with Kudos.

The men’s draw concludes the competition on Sunday when Keetmanshoop face Khomas Nampol, followed by a clash between Nampol Otjozondjupa and Calvari Eagles Sports Club.

The final battle pits NCS against Raptors.