Volleyball: League championship-United Sisters, Pointe Larue, Arsu, Spikers champions |03 October 2005

After watching La Digue pip them to first place and promotion to the top flight last year, United Sisters, like SMB, needed a victory to be crowned champions. And they achieved the feat.

Captained by Soline Camille whose husband James Camille is the team’s coach, United Sisters came from a set down to beat favourites SMB 3-1 (19-25 25-20 25-22 25-18) after 91 minutes of play.

Formed in 2002, United Sisters can count on former international Eliena Mousbé, who last played in the top flight with Cascade in 2001, for guidance and much-needed tips when playing against the top teams.

Runners-up SMB can still make the grade to the first division via the play-offs against top flight tailenders Glacis.

The men’s second division title went to Pointe Larue who beat Outsiders 3-0 (25-18 30-28 25-23) for their 14th victory in 16 games and an unassailable 43 points.

Under coach and manager Gerard Malbrook, Pointe Larue dominated the bottom division this season, finishing with five points more than runners-up Juniors who will meet first division bottom team La Digue in the play-off.

To win the women’s first division title a fifth time in a row and for the 11th time in 14 years, Arsu needed just a set against long-time rivals Cascade ‘A’.

At first, it looked as if Cascade ‘A’ would shock the defending champions as they rushed to a two-set lead. But Arsu, with veteran skipper Marie-Ange Bouchereau and daughter Solana Domingue watching from the stands as they are rumoured to be on the verge of signing with United Sisters, rallied to win the third set.

Happy that they had achieved their goal, Arsu could afford to lose the decider 1- 3 (22-25 15-25 25-14 24-26).

Against Racing Club who had come into the match for a win to book their tickets to participate in the next edition of the Indian Ocean Club Championship in Madagascar, Premium Spikers had to be on their guards.

Apart from a lapse of concentration in the third set which Racing Club won, Premium Spikers celebrated winning the title, three years after their last triumph in 2002.

The final score after 98 minutes of play was 3-1 (25-20 25-21 18-25 25-18) in Premium Spikers’ favour.

What the coaches said:

James Camille - United Sisters:  “We started the season on a good note but things got a little complicated after defeats against Bel Ombre Shadows and RC United. We managed to improve the level of our play to eventually win the title.

I am happy to win the title with United Sisters as I took charge of the team with the season already under way. 

I will have to improve the physical condition of my players because they have to be in top form to play with the best next year. Some players have shown an interest to join us, but those players have to first sort out their differences with their present teams.

I don’t want other teams to think that I’m picking players from their teams to make mine better.”

Gerard Malbrook - Pointe Larue: “I believe you remember that Pointe Larue played in the first division some five years ago but because the players were very young and had so many commitments, the team had to disband. I’m happy with my players’ performance. Hopefully we will get our new coach next season.”

Julien Onezime – Arsu:  “It’s a pity that we worked hard for the match and with two weeks left before the important fixture, key players decided not to play a part. There’s no miracle in volleyball and in just two weeks it was quite tough to put the team together. Had my players won the fourth set, I am certain they would have overcome a two-set deficit to win the match.”

Bernard Denis – Premium Spikers: “A child cannot disobey his parents all the time. Racing Club beat us in last year’s Curtain-raiser tournament final and we made sure they didn’t stop us from winning the League title this time.”

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Mangroo, Frederic cherish first championship win

AFTER Saturday’s League title win for Premium Spikers, one could read the excitement on the faces of setter Jones Mangroo and rapid attacker Jude Frederic. They had won a championship medal for the first time in their career.

Although they won the league title only for the first time, the two Seychellois internationals have won other medals in different competitions.

In his second spell with Premium Spikers after twice playing for Bel Ombre Pirates, Frederic, 27, described winning the league title as “something extraordinary”.

“I have been waiting for a long time to win this title and my dream has come true. I have to thank my coach and all my teammates for their efforts in helping me realise my dream,” Frederic told Sports Nation.

As for setter Mangroo, who joined Premium Spikers in 2002 just after the team had won their last League title, he could not hide his joy, turning into a photographer before getting someone to capture him and teammates on film while celebrating.

“It has been a long time coming. Injuries have slowed me down but through perseverance and my love for the sport, I’ve fulfilled my dream”, the 28-year-old said.

G. G.