The Fiji Times

Kinoya causes big upset on court

- By JOHN CHETTY

MID Central red team faced a tough loss in their opening match against Kinoya at the HBK Easter Volleyball Championsh­ip at Vodafone Arena in Suva yesterday.

Despite a valiant effort, the team faced defeat in a three-set game, Kinoya displayed dominance in the first set, clinching a 25-19 victory.

Mid Central rallied in the second set with a convincing 25-16 win, but couldn’t sustain their momentum in the final set, falling 26-24 to Kinoya.

Team captain Vanaisa Dranivesi commended Kinoya for their strong performanc­e and described the match as a tough but promising start to the tournament.

Dranivesi expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back and deliver strong performanc­es in their upcoming matches.

“It was just the first match still getting into the rhythm of the game, and I know the boy will come back strong.

“We just made few silly mistakes in the game that cost us, we need to work on our basics for us to get back in the next game.

“Having previously reaching the quarterfin­als in both Vulaca and Vanua competitio­n, we are setting our sight on reaching the finals and securing a victory this time around.”

Aware of the tough competitio­n ahead, Dranivesi expressed respect for the experience­d teams they will face and extended well wishes to all participan­ts for a successful and blessed Easter tournament.

Meanwhile in the first round of matches, NakasiRaiw­ai – 25-15, 23-25, 15-13, Nadi- Mid Central one- 2517, 25-21, Raiwai- Nadi, 14-25, 10-25, Nadi one- Mid Central, 17-25, 15-25, Girls U19- Raiwai- Mid-Central, 25-14, 25-21.

 ?? Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU ?? Mid Central players, from left, Bernard Vukivuki and Inia Delai, block out a Kinoya spike at the Vodafone Arena in Suva yesterday.
Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU Mid Central players, from left, Bernard Vukivuki and Inia Delai, block out a Kinoya spike at the Vodafone Arena in Suva yesterday.
 ?? Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU ?? Mid Central players, from left, Bernard Vukivuki, Inia Delai and Seru Seniloli block out a Kinoya spike.
Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU Mid Central players, from left, Bernard Vukivuki, Inia Delai and Seru Seniloli block out a Kinoya spike.
 ?? Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU ?? Cirikiyasa­wa Talei of Raiwai, counters a spike against Mid Central, at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.
Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU Cirikiyasa­wa Talei of Raiwai, counters a spike against Mid Central, at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.

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