Action aplenty at Masters tournament
THE annual Masters Tournament hosted by the eThekwini Volleyball Association is fast becoming one of South Africa’s premier competition of its kind.
The 2017 edition which took place at the UKZN Westville Sports Centre last weekend drew hundreds of players and spectators from around the country. The competition which caters for men over the age of 40 and women over 30, saw 40 teams descend on the city for a third year in a row.
The men’s final saw SAPS-Gauteng clash with Liberte in a thrilling climax which went all the way down to the final set.
The KZN team reached the final after they beat a highly fancied, Delfos TWR team which boasted the likes of legendary, former national captain, Andile Masinga.
While SAPS progressed after a hard fought win against Cape Town based, All Star Saints in a match which had spectators on the edge of their seats in the quick 30-point format.
Liberte won the first set (15-8) with relative ease, experience setter, Kiresh Harilal laid an excellent platform for power hitters Dean Naidoo and Pramesh Naidoo to fire home.
SAPS refused to roll over though and fought back to level matters at one all. The big blocking Farhaad Mahomed was a constant thorn in the side of Liberte’s attackers and helped his side to a 15-12 set win.
In the deciding set, Kiresh Harilal turned to his star utility man, Kiruben Naicker and the veteran delivered big blows to drown out the SAPS challenge. In the end Liberte won the final set 15-7 to lift their first ever Masters title.
“This was a great display of volleyball from the legends of the game,” eThekwini Volleyball president, Marcellino Nyar said.
The women’s final was a one sided affair with tournament favourites KAD Beasts smashing their way to a straight two set win over Delfos Ladies (15-7, 153).
The Gauteng side were dominant throughout the competition and did not drop a set on their way to claiming the crown.
“We hope to see more female teams participating from around the country at next year’s tournament,” Nyar said.
While the action was rip roaring on the court the familiar camaraderie around the event continued to reign supreme off it.
“The anticipation before the tournament was fantastic and matched the excitement of the long awaited day of volleyball and meeting of old friends,’ Nyar said.