Kepler VC recovered from Friday’s tough defeat to Gisagara VC by edging East African University Rwanda (EAUR) in four sets—23–25, 31–29, 25–23, 25–15—in a crucial National Volleyball League match played on Saturday at Sainte Famille Gymnasium.

ALSO READ: Gisagara VC survive Kepler comeback to maintain league lead

EAUR started strongly, claiming the opening set 25–23 as Kepler showed signs of fatigue following their five-set loss a day earlier. However, Jean Patrick Ndaki’s side regrouped in the second set and narrowly prevailed 31–29 to level the match.

Kepler carried that momentum into the third and fourth sets, edging the third 25–23 before dominating the fourth 25–15 to secure an important victory.

Team captain Ivan Mahoro said the turnaround was inspired by lessons learned from previous encounters in which EAUR had troubled top sides, including ending Gisagara’s unbeaten run earlier this season.

ALSO READ: EAUR end Gisagara’s home dominance

"EAUR are a very challenging team; there are no free points when you play them,” Mahoro told Times Sport. "But our ambitions go beyond that, which is why bouncing back and winning was a must for us.”

In another men’s fixture, APR VC swept aside Kirehe VC with a straight-sets 3–0 victory (25–13, 26–24, 25–23).

In the women’s category, EAUR WVC stunned Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) with a 3–0 win (25–23, 25–18, 29–27). The defeat could prove costly for the tax collectors in the playoff race, as RRA remain fourth with 13 points, just one ahead of EAUR.

Elsewhere, APR WVC comfortably defeated Ruhango WVC 3–0 (25–12, 25–16, 25–21).