Raptors, NCS locked in two-horse race
The second round of the MTC Volleyball National League (VNL) saw the men’s title race begin to take shape, with the top two sides once again collecting maximum points in Ondangwa.
Namibian Defence Force (NDF) Raptors, who edged defending champions Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) at the summit after the opening round in Otjiwarongo, kept their place at the top with a 3-1 win over newly promoted Brutal Pact, who sit fourth on the log.
By conceding a set, Raptors left the door open for NCS, who had the opportunity to move top with a straight-sets (3-0) victory over Calvary Eagles.
Such a result would have seen both teams level on points (12), matches played (four) and set ratio (6.00), with NCS moving ahead on score ratio (1.26 to 1.25).
NCS miss opportunity
However, NCS dropped the opening set 25-19 against Eagles. Despite responding with a dominant 25-18, 25-17 and 25-17 run to seal a 3-1 victory, they remained second on the log behind Raptors due to an inferior set ratio (4.00 to 6.00).
Three points behind the leaders are NamPol, who maintained third place with a 3-1 win over Afrocat C.
NamPower continued to build momentum, beating University of Namibia (Unam) Hard Hitters 3-1 to climb into fifth place on five points, moving ahead of a winless Calvary Eagles side.
Hard Hitters registered their first win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Afrocat C. However, both sides have played more matches than the rest of the league (five) and remain in the lower half of the standings, with Afrocat C still searching for their first win.
Women’s clashes
In the women’s division, NamPol extended their perfect run with a straight-sets win over winless Six Stars to stay top of the standings on 12 points.
Revivals, despite a 3-1 win over NDF Phoenixes, remain second on nine points, still feeling the effects of their earlier 3-0 loss to the leaders.
Unam Queens’ straight-sets victory over Kudos saw them move into third place, level on points with Revivals.
In the previous round, three teams were tied on six points, with set ratio separating them. Revivals again hold the edge on set ratio (2.25 to 1.80).
Phoenixes dropped to fifth after a second loss in the round, falling 3-2 to Blaze Aces after the latter had earlier secured a 3-0 win over Afrocat Ladies to climb to fourth on eight points.
Blaze Aces impress
League coordinator Albert Khevare praised Blaze Aces for their standout performance, as they won both matches in the round to move from sixth to fourth on the log. He also acknowledged the government’s support in transporting teams from Rundu and Windhoek to Ondangwa.
“Calvary Eagles, Brutal Pact and Blaze Aces were transported from Rundu, while Afrocat Ladies and Afrocat C were transported from Windhoek. This is the kind of support we need,” he said, noting that no such assistance was available last year.
Regarding a controversial men’s match between Hard Hitters and Afrocat C, which saw the latter forfeit the final set and lose 3-1 due to claims of insufficient visibility, Khevare said the officials’ decision followed thorough deliberations and was made in line with the rules of play.
The third round of the league will be held in Katima Mulilo from 23 to 24 May.
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