Last month, Paulo de Tarso, the national volleyball team head coach named four new players to take part in the 2021 African Nations Women’s Championship that is currently underway in Kigali.

The players have beefed up the national team and were instrumental in the 2 games Rwanda has played so far in the tournament.

They include right-attack Aline Siqueira, center Apolinario Caroline Taina, setter Mariana Da Silva and left-attack Moreira Bianca Gomes.

Siqueira, 34 who plays as a right-attacker contributed 18 points, 1 block and 18 rebounds in the opening game against Morocco, while in the second one against Nigeria, she grabbed 19 points.

In the same manner, 28-year-old Apolinario who plays as a center contributed 3 attacks, 6 blocks and 2 ace-services in the game against Morocco, while 28-year-old setter Da Silva made 3 attacks 3 and 3 blocks.

In the second game against Nigeria, Apolinario scored 9 points.

Left attacker Bianca Gomes, 42 has also been quite instrumental.  In the game against Nigeria, she made 14 points, 10 attacks, 4 blocks, and 1 ace-service.

The Rwanda national women’s volleyball team is through to the semifinals of the African championship, after winning its first two games against Morocco and Nigeria.

Their next match will be against Senegal on Thursday, September 16 as they look to top the group and storm into the semifinals.