Both UWC and Tuks remained undefeated on Day One of Varsity Beach Volleyball, setting up a mouth-watering clash between the two on Day two.
Tuks vs UL
Tuks would end Day One undefeated along with UWC when they beat a gutsy UL side to make it three wins from three on Day One. The Pretoria side dominated the encounter from start to finish against a Limpopo team that has blown hot and cold in their opening three encounters.
Tuks stuck with their winning formula as Margrit Springer and Thumo Neluvhalani started. Tuks continued with their momentum, putting UL on the back foot early on. UL did well to stay in the match, but trailed 21-12 at the break.
In the second half Tuks raced ahead and once again a fresh Jaime-Lee Wentzel was on in place of Neluvhalani as an impact substitute.
Soon it was 33-15 to Tuks who added 12 points to their half time score while UL only managed three and there were six minutes left on the clock.
Caroline Malahlela and Thembeka Madlopha couldn’t get UL back in it and it finished 45-21 to Tuks.
UWC vs VUT
Hosts UWC are still the team to beat in 2016, topping the table after rounding off Day One with a 48-27 victory over VUT.
Unforced errors were the only reason VUT didn’t lead early on against UWC when it was level at 5-5. Serving let them down, as a number of failed services kept UWC in it.
But VUT did take eventually take the lead as Botshelo Nnosang and Asive Makhathini found some rhythm and led UWC 13-11 at the time out after seven minutes of play.
Bejancka Della and Tamlyn Thomas started for UWC, but couldn’t get a grip on the match. Prudence Layters came in for Tamlyn Thomas just before half time and it seemed to make the world of difference.
UWC clawed back to a 20-18 lead at half time.
The second half went the way of UWC as they took a 30-20 lead. The Cape side surged ahead and despite VUT contesting a few phenomenal rallies, UWC’s finishing was far superior.
There was a lot of net play and with UWC winning those battles at the front, VUT decided to bring on Sindisiwe Sithole for Botshelo Nnosang with five minutes to go.
But it was all UWC as the defending champions won 48-27.
Kovsies vs UCT
In the final match of the day UCT ended on a high, defeating Kovises 42-32 and sending them to the bottom of the log.
It was posed to be an evenly contested final match and at 4-4 early on it was a tough match to call.
Kovsies’ Imke Stehn and Moleboheng Matsiliso were an even match for UCT’s Hannah Fox and Michelle Barboure. Five minutes in UCT led 9-5 as both sides look tired. When half time arrived, UCT had stretched their led to 22-13.
Service seemed to switch with every point as both teams’ scores ticked over while UCT maintained their lead. It was 32-23 with five minutes to play.
With just three minutes left on the clock, UCT’s Christie Putter came on for Barboure and the fresh legs were an unwelcome sight for Kovsies.
The final score 42-32 to UCT.
Results:
Tuks 45-21 UL
UWC 48-27VUT
Kovsies 42-32 UCT
Log:
