Star outside hitter Nicholas Matui has admitted that the just-concluded volleyball league season was so intense that REG VC nearly missed out on the playoffs before eventually turning things around to win the championship.

REG completed a remarkable comeback campaign by clinching their third league title following Sunday’s Game 5 victory over Police VC in the finals series.

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The Kenyan star revealed that the pressure throughout the season was immense, with REG entering the playoffs as underdogs. However, strong team morale and belief within the squad kept them going until the final day of their title-winning run.

"The Rwandan league is much more competitive than the Kenyan league, although both require hard work regardless of the team you play for,” Matui told the press.

He added that REG’s third-place finish at the CAVB Men’s Club Championship played a key role in boosting the team’s confidence ahead of the finals comeback against Police VC.

"Playing in the championship gave us the morale to come back and perform here,” he said.

Matui was named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Attacker after delivering standout performances during the playoffs, helping REG overturn the series to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over Police VC in the best-of-five finals.

"To me, this is a mix of emotions. I’m very happy for this victory, and being named Best Attacker and MVP is an incredible feeling,” he said.

Ugandan coach Benon Mugisha also celebrated his second league title with REG over the weekend, having previously guided the club to its maiden championship during his first spell in charge in 2019.

Mugisha echoed Matui’s sentiments, describing the Rwandan volleyball league as the toughest competition he has coached in throughout his career.

"I can say this has been the hardest league I have ever coached in my career,” Mugisha said.

"Compared to Uganda, Rwanda has many talented local players, and I believe the federation is taking the right direction by requiring every club to have academies,” he added.