CONTINENTAL Volleyball Club Championships bound Non-Academic Bachelors Association (NABA) men and University of Zimbabwe Wolves gave a dress rehearsal of what to expert in Egypt next month when the two giants met in the final of the Harare Volleyball Open Tournament at Morris Depot in Harare on Sunday.
NABA, made up of largely former UZ players, claimed the bragging rights beating their fancied opponents and brothers Wolves in the pulsating final as both sides maintained their dominance in local volleyball.
UZ Wolves won the HVA Open last year, while Black Rhinos took the cup in 2022. Black Mambas won bronze on Sunday, Manyame Falcons came fourth, while Support Unit and Old Hararians finished in fifth and sixth place, respectively.
The newly-crowned HVA champions NABA won silver at the Zone Six Senior Club Championships in Maseru, Lesotho to qualify for the 2024 African Volleyball Confederation Africa Club Championships, while UZ Wolves on number four also made it for Egypt.
NABA are on the market hunting for US$63 000 to partake in the games in Egypt. The funds are meant for air tickets, accommodation, local transportation in Egypt, tournament affiliation fee, player allowances and travelling l and medical aid kit, among other things.
In the women's category, UZ Wolves beat previous holders Support Unit to be crowned champions. Harare City Women took bronze, Black Mambas came fourth, while Manyame Falcons and CBZ Jewels finished in fifth and sixth place respectively. Harare City Women won the tournament in 2022.
HVA chairperson, Priestledge Nhamburo commended the teams for putting up a good show.
“The season opener went on as planned. Was impressed by the level of preparedness of the teams. They had prepared well during the off season. We all managed to take notes of areas we need to work on,” Nhamburo told NewsDay Sport.
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“To the teams, I'm confident next two weeks they will work on these as they prepare for the Zim Open. We are now looking forward to an epic 2024 Premier League season as no team will be deemed the dominants.”
The association is set to hold its elective AGM on April 13 in Harare.
