The defending champions APR WVC, and Police WVC, fought back and forth in an entertaining five-set contest that concluded with APR taking home the bragging rights of Rwanda Women National League’s newly established derby.
After placing second in the Kirehe Open last week, the Rwanda National Police Volleyball Team suffered a heartbreaking setback to rival APR Women Volleyball Club on Sunday afternoon, falling in five thrilling sets inside Notre Dame des Anges Gymnasium.
Set one stood close early on. However, with the score tied at ten, a kill and solo block from Bertile Mutoni, followed by another kill from Amito Shallon secured a three-point advantage for Police (13-10).
Police went on to 15 points while maintaining a three-point lead, forcing Florien Siborurema to take a timeout to adjust his tactics. It worked out, and APR cut the deficit to make it 15 apiece.
They pushed and seized the lead until Christian Hatumimana decided to request a timeout at 16-18. Following the short break, both teams continued to go back and forth up to 23-23, when Police scored two consecutive points to take the first set.
Set two saw the defensive battle between the two powerful hitting teams, with APR coming out on top 25-19. This set was unambiguously dominated by APR.
With no Catherine Ainambabazi, injured in the warm-up prior to the game, Police came out strong in the third set, taking the first five points in a row.
APR’s Siborurema sought to shake up the team, requesting time outs, but a succession of attack errors forced Siborurema to rest some key players like Benitha Mukandayisenga, Yvette Igihozo, and Valentine with the intent to come back stronger in the fourth set. It ended 25-12 in favor of Police
With the majority of rested players from the previous set, APR comes out fired up to win the 4th set and force a decider. They easily defeated Police 25-18 and then resumed where they left off in the deciding set.
They scored five consecutive points and changed the court sides with 8-2.
APR scored four straight points to make it 12-2, and there was plainly no room for the Police to come back. Hence, the set ended 15-6.
APR extends their winning streak, as they have yet to taste defeat in the 2023 National League. They improved their perfect record to 7-0 and are now in pole position.
In their next assignment, they will be up against IPRC Huye and Ruhango VC at the IPRC Huye outdoor courts.
