APR started their title defense in imperious fashion with five successive wins in the first phase of this year’s National Volleyball Championship that was held in Huye district over the weekend. The defending champions registered a one hundred percent start to the season with four straight set victories over ISAE, CXR, Umubano Blue Tigers and Rwanda’s traditional volleyball powerhouse KVC. The army club also pulled off a 3-1 set victory in their final phase tie against KVC. Besides KVC’s two defeats against APR, the Rafiki based club notched three victories over Rwanda National University (UNR), Kigali Institute of Education (KIE) and new league entrants PSVFK to finish second on the phase one standings. Meanwhile, the 2006 league champions UNR produced a below par performance as they lost to Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) 2-0 and struggled against Kibungo’s PSVFK. UNR secured a 2-1 victory over PSVFK, a 2-0 set victory over CXR and reorganized themselves to snatch a 2-0 set win in their final phase one fixture over KIST. In the ladies category, reigning champions UNR are still top of the table while APED Rwaza and Groupe Scolaire Rwaza follow in second and third spots respectively.This year’s championship has attracted a record entry of 27 clubs; 14 male and 13 female clubs. The championship is jointly funded by the Rwanda Volleyball Federation, the ministry of youth, sports and culture and Coca Cola. Ends
