First round of the 2017 Bank Windhoek NVF Cup concludes

SWAKOPMUND, Sept. 5 – Twenty-four teams from all corners of the country participated in the first round of the 2017 Bank Windhoek Namibia Volleyball Federation (NVF) cup. The tournament took place over the weekend at The Dome in Swakopmund.

Teams from all regional associations began from the group stages of the competition and participants were highly competitive as a lot was at stake. The winning teams were guaranteed a spot in the quarter finals stage that are slated for the 16th and 17th of September in Katima Mulilo.

With a total of N$46 000 in prizemoney and individual prizes, as well as the bragging rights up for grabs, the teams gave it their all over the first round in five set matches to determine the winners of the groups.

Teams participated in four groups of three teams each, and the top two per group advanced to the quarter finals.
It proved to be a relatively easy round for defending champions Khomas Nampol in the men’s draw as they won their games convincingly and set themselves up for a quarter final entry. The Unam Katima Mulilo men’s team made sure a local team will be part of the quarter finals in their home turf. They pushed Volleyball stalwarts NDF to a five set match and won their match against Unam Viper Rundu Campus.
The Rundu youngster team, Toxic Serves, showed great heart, having taken a knock in their ranks through the drafting of most of their top players to the NSSU u/17 COSSASA Ballgames Team. They unfortunately did not manage to progress to the quarter final round.
In the women’s draw, last year’s runners up SKW progressed with relative ease. They showcased their resolve and experience in the competition. Khomas Nampol and NDF women also made a convincing start to their campaign with the Khomas teams taking the top spots in their respective groups.

The teams qualified are as follows:
Men:
Group A:
1. Navy A
2. Six Star
Group B:
1. Nampower
2. Erongo Nampol
Group C:
1. NDF
2. Unam Katima Campus
Group D:
1. Khomas Nampol
2. Eleven Warriors
Ladies:
Group A:
1. NDF
2. Oshana Nampol
Group B:
1. Oshikoto Nampol
2. Toxic Serves
Group C:
1. Khomas Nampol
2. Rundu Chiefs
Group D:
1. SKW
2. Unam Vipers Rundu
The second round will take place at University of Namibia’s Katima Mulilo campus on Saturday, 16 to Sunday, 17 September 2017. This will be the first time that the town hosts such a tournament.

The finals of the 2017 Bank Windhoek NVF Cup will take place on Saturday, 30 September in Windhoek. This will see the best four teams, per league, fighting to become the Bank Windhoek NVF Cup 2017 Champions.

The aim of the Bank Windhoek NVF Cup 2017 is to showcase Namibian volleyball teams from all six regional volleyball associations. – NDN Staffer