Spartans VC of Yola has dented the chances of Wikki Spikers of Bauchi gaining promotion to the Nigeria Volleyball Premier League.
Wikki Spikers lost gallantly to Spartans VC of Yola 2-3 (14-25, 25-20, 25-20, 15-25, 13-15) at the indoor sports hall of Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Friday.
Spartans VC won the first set 25-14 convincingly within 15 minutes but Wikki Spikers responded by winning the second and third set by same score line 25-20 but Spartans VC snatched the victory by dominating the fourth and fifth set with 25-15 and 15-13 win.
Reacting to the victory, the coach of Spartans VC, Polycarp Joel, revealed that his intentions were to beat the trio of Kada Kings, Kwara United and Wikki Spikers of Bauchi in the ongoing campaign.
Joel said his players gave a good account of themselves against Wikki Spikers of Bauchi by executing the well prepared game plan.
He said, “When we were preparing for the second phase of the 2021 National Division 1 League, we prepared our mind for Kada Kings, Kwara United VC and Wikki Spikers of Bauchi. I believed that these were the teams that will give us much problem in the league.
“The instructions I gave to the players before they faced Wikki Spikers was to play with their hearts, even if it means make only passed throughout the game and we used the cardinal points of volleyball which are; mind, spirit and team work.”
He further noted that Spartans VC is aiming at winning a double against Oluyole Spikers of Oyo state, while thanking the fans for cheering the team to victory.
“Spartans VC of Yola will not relent in the last match (on Saturday) because we beat Oluyole Spikers of Oyo state in the first phase and I want to assure you my team will beat them again.
“I thank Adamawa Volleyball fans for supporting us both at home and in the arena. If you noticed, the crowd were solidly behind us and you know the spirit of Spartans; that was what we showed on the court against Wikki Spikers of Bauchi.”
Day 7 results:
Kwara United VC v Oluyole Spikers of Oyo state 3-1 (25-17, 25-11, 21-25, 25-16)
Kada Kings v ABM of Kastina 3-1 (25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 25-13)
Wikki Spikers of Bauchi v Spartans VC of Yola 2-3 (14-25, 25-20, 25-20, 15-25, 13-15)
Day 8 Fixtures:
Spartans VC of Yola v Oluyole Spikers of Oyo (9am)
Caliphate Spikers of Sokoto v Wikki Spikers of Bauchi (11am)
Zamfara Babes v Kwara United VC (women) 2pm
Kwara United VC v Kada Kings (4pm)
Closing ceremony and presentation of trophies (6pm)