Jaguars pummel their way to the top in Gauteng volleyball league
- Tshepiso Mametela
The Wits Jaguars women’s team won their second successive Gauteng Aqua Darshan Premier League series by beating VUT 2-0 in the finals in Benoni on 28 May.
The John Barrable Hall played host to 16 men’s and eight women’s teams that clash in a series of round-robin games once every month.
Teams accumulate points in each tournament, with the side boasting the highest aggregate being crowned the league champions at the end of the season.
Wits’ ladies, who overcame TUT by the same scoreline in the final of the first series in April, will next take to the court on 11 June for the third series.
Meanwhile, the Wits Jaguars men lost to Aqua Darshan Rebels in their quarter-final match, having suffered another knockout round defeat to Tuks in the first series.
Setter Lenah Fatah, who doubles up as Wits Jaguars women’s assistant coach and captain, said the team’s run in the league, which has seven series remaining, has been monumental, with the side amped to continue its superb form.
“It shows how hard we are working and how much of a powerhouse we are. We’re respected for our sportsmanship and bring the great quality of volleyball that is expected in this league,” she said.
“We’re motivated to display better volleyball and are training even harder in preparation for the games.
“One or two friendly matches will help us mend some loopholes. We, also, have more great players who were absent and are hoping to play in the next series.”
Fourth-year BPharm (Hons) student and the Jaguars women’s devastating middle blocker, Stacey Nheera, said there is a belief the team can make it a clean sweep by winning the upcoming tournaments.
But she cautioned against complacency and said the team could ill-afford taking any opponent for granted. “Nothing can stop us on the way up!” she said.
“It is not going to be easy. We cannot afford to get too comfortable. If anything, we need to work extra hard to defend our title.
“We need to put in the work as though we are the team that has lost twice in the finals. We are gunning to win the remaining tournaments and make history. We are well equipped to take on any team we meet in the final,” added Nheera.
“As it stands, we are dominating the province and hope to dominate throughout South Africa, given the opportunity to play against teams from other provinces.
“Our main goal is to grow the sport of volleyball and to build a strong brand around the Wits Volleyball Club.
“I strongly believe that Wits University can be both an academic and sporting institution, excelling in both departments.”
Wits Jaguars