Seychelles Volleyball Federation Cup-Premium Spikers, Arsu look to retain trophies |06 November 2012

League champions Premium Spikers will meet rivals Beau Vallon in a repeat of last year’s men’s final which they won 3-2 (25-23, 25-18, 19-25, 21-25, 20-18).

Coach Bernard Denis’ Premium Spikers needed 54 minutes to beat second divisioners Airwaves 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-14) to book their place in the final against Beau Vallon for a fourth year in a row. A win on Sunday will see Premium Spikers achieve another league and cup double.

As for coach Jude Preira’s Beau Vallon, who have been at the receiving end against Premium Spikers in the last two finals in 2010 and 2011, they powered past Outsiders 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-14) after 58 minutes of play in the other men’s semifinal.

The women’s final is between Friends and Arsu. While Arsu will be looking to retain the title they reclaimed last year, Friends will be gunning for their first ever league and cup double.

League champions Friends, who are preparing for the forthcoming Indian Ocean Club Championship in Madagascar, played out 70 minutes of volleyball to earn a 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-15) victory over La Digue to make it to the final.

Arsu rediscovered their killer instinct in time on Saturday as they sent Cascade crashing out of the competition with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-23) win after 80 minutes of action.

In last year’s final, Cascade took the opening set 25-23, but Arsu claimed the second and third 25-13 and 25-17. The Cascadians came out more determined and they proved that they too can play the game, winning the fourth set 25-23, but could not deliver in the fifth as Arsu played a par above them and shut them down to take the win on a 15-10 score.

G. G.