Laeeqah is making her mark on the volleyball court
Laeeqah Sujee is a trailblazer when it comes to volleyball.
The 21 year is a Bachelor of Arts (Sports Psychology) graduate from the University of Johannesburg, proving she has both the academic and sports skills ... enough to impress.
Sujee was in action at the recent Varsity Sports Beach Volleyball champions that featured the best of the best universities and she lived up to the tournament’s top class billing.
Sujee was not only the captain but the star of the UJ team, that saw them depose the previous champions of four years, the University of the Western Cape.
The shot of the tournament and perhaps one that got UJ into the finals was a one-handed single return.
The ball was smashed by the opposition in what looked to be a definite point. But Sujee raced virtually to the end of the court and in one motion got hand to ball to send it back to the opponent’s court. Low and behold, that was the point that sent UJ into the finals.
Sujee was in a confident mood prior to the finals saying that she was confident of victory and her team duly picked up silverware as tournament victors.
Sujee’s love for volleyball started at the tender age of 10, having played with various clubs in Johannesburg.
The Lenasia born athlete boasts an array of achievements, representing Gauteng Primary and Secondary schools.
She made the SA youth team in 2014, and then the SA university team earlier this year.
She was captain of Gauteng High Schools, captain of the IPT Junior ladies from 2010 to 2014, Vice-Captain of the South African Junior team in 2014, Volleyball South Africa Champion’s Cup runners up with her club Delfos in 2012, Champs cup Champions with KAD(2015).
She was awarded Best Blocker IPT (2012 and 2013), Best defensive player USSA Beach and off-course Player of the Tournament at last weeks Varsity Cup.
The shy but unassuming Sujee said: “I am truly blessed at this young age to have played volleyball at all levels of the sport. I started playing at the age of 10 but I have been on a volleyball court for as long as I can remember.
“Both my parents were involved with their school teams and so my brother and I accompanied them to training sessions even before we could walk.
“My passion for the game was further influenced by international level coaches starting with my father, Suleiman Sujee, at school level and later Mathew Govinder, the late Adrian Strijdom. My playing was also influenced by coaches Prenesh Nana and Treshwin Arnolds.”