By Michael Ainomugisha
Set Scores:
• Set 1: 25-15
• Set 2: 25-17
• Set 3: 26-24
The UCU Lady Doves made a powerful statement in the National Volleyball League Serie A (Women) with a commanding 3-0 victory over defending champions KCB Nkumba.
In a nail biting match, played at the Sport-S Grounds in Nsambya, on Sunday 19th January 2025, marked a perfect start to the second round of the season for UCU, who are determined to secure a playoff spot.
The Lady Doves opened strong, winning the first two sets convincingly (25-15, 25-17). Their strong defense and well-coordinated counterattacks kept Nkumba on the back foot. The third set, however, was a nail-biter. Trailing 22-18, UCU launched a remarkable comeback to clinch the set 26-24 and complete the sweep.
Setter Evas Nayebare expressed her pride in the team’s effort and focus.
“We made our defense better. I am so proud of my teammates and the coach for the teamwork. The girls are so hungry for this; they’re working hard to make sure they are at least in this year’s playoffs, and they know that the only way to make it to the playoffs is to give their best,” Nayebare said.
Head Coach Juma Osunge was excited with the performance but pointed out that the team had underestimated their opponents in the early minutes of the third set, making this win even more significant.
“This performance was spectacular. The girls have worked hard for this in the last two weeks. We came knowing the state of the opponent we played today. We came knowing how we play in this game would determine whether we will aim for playoffs or we shall just be participating in the league,” he said.
Osunge also credited their success to a strong tactical plan focused on service and counterattacks.
“Our service and offense were the two areas that worked well for us because our opponents’ setters weren’t comfortable receiving the ball. We executed that faster by scoring points on counterattacks,” he added.
Despite their dominance in the first two sets, Osunge acknowledged that the team nearly let the third set slip away.
“I think the girls got excited when they won the first two sets and became complacent. But at last, they saw our opponents taking the set and steadied up,” he explained.
Coach Osunge was full of praise for receiver/ attacker Praise Kirabo who delivered an exceptional service performance, scoring five of the last six points of the match.
“She is a good server naturally, but we are working hard on making sure everyone is comfortable in the service zone because we expect them to give us not less than three services in the set,” he added.
