APR men’s volleyball club started their 2023 Zone 5 Club Championship campaign in style, winning their opening game against Amicale de Bujumbura in three straight sets at BK Arena on Wednesday.

Sammy Mulinge's men won the first set 25-18 and they looked unstoppable ever since, going on to claim the second set 25-14. But the Burundians never backed down as they still believed they could make a turnaround despite losing the first two sets.

The army side, however, remained resolute and avoided any slip to give Amical a room to claim the crucial set. APR went on to win it 31-29 to take home the victory.

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The performance was a morale booster for the Rwandan side which wants to win the regional tournament and make it a double of major trophies this year, having won the Taxpayers’ appreciation title.

Elsewhere, newcomers Kepler crashed out of the Zone V Club championship following Wednesday’s 3-1 (25-18, 25-27, 34-36 and 22-25) loss to Ugandan side Sport-S, their second defeat of the campaign.

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In women category, Police WVC piled more misery on struggling APR WVC, comfortably beating them 3-0 (25-23, 25-13 and 25-21.

APR women&039;s team has been struggling this year, falling behind Police and Rwanda Revenue Authority in the domestic women volleyball.

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In other matches, Pipeline WVC (Kenya) beat KCCA WVC (Uganda) 3-0 (25-19, 25-15 and 25-21).

On Thursday, in men's category, Sport-S will face Police while APR will be up against REG.

In women category, RRA will entertain Kenya Pipeline while APR return to action against KCCA.

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The Zone V Club Championship is considered as one of the most prestigious volleyball tournaments in East Africa attracting the best clubs across the regional.