06 Jun 2016

Kutlwano ladies team staged a dramatic comeback to beat Mafolofolo 3-2 on Sunday and ended their archrivals’ five match unbeaten start to the Mascom Volleyball League season.

Kutlwano appeared dead and buried at two sets down at the end of the second set with log-leaders Mafolofolo dominating the thrilling encounter at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources.  

However, the defending champions regrouped to stage a monumental fight-back inspired by the individual brilliance of Tracy Chaba and veteran setter Lekedzani Bayi.  

Mafolofolo played better organised and cohesive volleyball while Kutlwano relied on their indomitable spirit and big match temperament. 

Mafolofolo overhauled Kutlwano’s lead deep in the first set to win the set 25-23 and establish a 1-0 lead. Mafolofolo strung together six consecutive points early in the second set which set stage for a dominant display throughout the set. 

Tsholofelo Retshabile and Gaoleseletse Gasekgonwe pinned dangerous balls that left Kutlwano reception in tatters, while young libero Gaontle Goirwang played a solid match for Kabo Ntshinogang’s girls. Mafolofolo won the set 25-20 to lead the match 2-0.

However, Kutlwano upped their game in the third set and with players like Chaba, Thapelo Kamberuka, Tshiamo Chakalisa, and Caroline Rodger starting to find opening in the Mafolofolo block. They won the set 25-20 and reduced the deficit to 2-1. 

Mafolofolo started to look jittery in the fourth set and players like Taboka Tema and Gasekgonwe started committing too many mistakes. Even the introduction of Gabaresepe Mashaole failed rescue them as Kutlwano won the set 26-24 to send the match to a deciding set. And the Big House comfortably won the deciding set 15-10.

Kutlwano assistant coach Dopp Popo said his team relied on solid blocking and counter-attacking to win the match. “They have a quality team while we had a thin squad, this is why we had fight for the every point and minimize the free balls,” Popo said.   

Mafolofolo coach Kabo Ntshinogang said his team didn’t have the energy to finish off the match. “The energy levels went down after the first two sets and we started committing too many mistakes. We ended up trying to see the match through but failed,” he said.Despite the defeat, Mafolofolo maintained their place at the top of the log with 16 points after beating Spiking Stars 3-0 on Saturday.

BDF VI defeated Dynamites 3-1 and lost 3-0 to Kalavango but still maintained second position in the log standings. Kutlwano went third after beating Mafolofolo 3-2 and Spiking Stars 3-0. Dynamites beat Kalavango 3-1 in another match on Sunday. ENDS