Laudanu lose, retain top spot

U-Mi Yet toppled Laudanu in the NCD Volleyball Association women’s A grade division at the Taurama Indoor and Aquatic Centre on Saturday.
In the last game of round one, Laudanu, the pace-setters in their division, tasted their first defeat at the hands of last year’s grand finalists.
The MJ Electrical-sponsored side strategised and started with a tall lineup in Sopo Alsop and Margaret Oii-Meve in the middle blocks, Christine Maino and Lorain Allen (outside hitters), and Viola Unatah opposite setter Samuella Terence against their shorter opponents.
U-Mi Yet used good float service to force Laudanu to opt for medium sets that were either blocked or given free which U-Mi Yet hammered in transition play to keep the scores ticking over to win the first set by a 10-point margin (25-15).
Laudanu starting with same six of Toua Vagi, Julie Rabura, Mabata Garia, Kay Garia, Hure Hanua and Beau Rabura in the second set accelerated to take the lead 8-5 with spectacular defensive saves and quick attacks that caught their opponents off guard.
But U-Mi Yet  introduced Sarah Karukuru, Lena Feakari and Veralie Oii-Meve — a quicker team — and hit back using aggressive service and tight defence to seal the match 25-16.
Despite the loss, Laudanu still maintains top spot while U-Mi Yet is second.
In another upset over the weekend, debutants One Six Pawa unplugged one time competition leaders, Ela Motors 3-2 in the men’s premier division.
Ela Motors have the team make up, but are slowly losing their confidence, making too many unforced errors and as a result lost the last three games and dropping out of the top five.

Results: Men’s premier – Scorpion 3 Telikom 1, U-Mi 3 Laudanu 2, Vanama 3 Vailima 1; Women’s premier – Telikom 3 Scorpion 1, Jamas 3 Strive Stars 1, Laudanu 3 U-Mi Yet 2, Vailima 3 Vanama 1, Ela Motors 3 One Six Pawa 2.