KCB-Nkumba face mental test in must win Volleyball League final

National Volleyball League

Fixtures (Finals)

Saturday

Sport-S v KCB-Nkumba 2pm

Nemo v Sport-S 4pm

Sunday (If necessary)

Sport-S v KCB-Nkumba 12pm

Nemo v Sport-S 4pm

KCB-Nkumba will need to elevate their mental game ahead of the second match in the best-of-three National Volleyball League finals series, set to conclude this weekend at Old Kampala Arena.

The defending champions looked out of sorts as Sport-S Women produced a commanding performance in Game One, delivering a heavy blow to Nkumba’s title defence. From the opening set, Nkumba’s game plan faltered, leaving both players and coaches scrambling.

“Unfortunately, things didn’t go well because some of the girls didn’t seem mentally prepared for Game One,” said Nkumba head coach Tony Lakony.

“Volleyball is a mental game, and any lapse can have drastic consequences. We struggled with blocking and serving, and that ultimately cost us the match.”

Sport-S impressed across all departments, with strong serving, consistent attacking, and smart setting decisions. The pressure now falls on Nkumba to bounce back in Saturday’s clash to keep their season—and championship hopes—alive.

“Game Two is do-or-die. It’s our real final,” Lakony added. “Sport-S served well, their outside hitters were sharp, and their setter made excellent choices.”

On the men’s side, Nemostars also face elimination. They must win on Saturday to force a decisive Game Three in their pursuit of a first league title since 2019. Though their performance in Game One wasn’t poor, Sport-S capitalized on key moments to edge each set.

To stay alive, Nemostars must tighten up their service game and maintain consistency throughout the match. Yet, the task remains daunting, as Sport-S have enjoyed a near-flawless season.

The second matches will be played on Saturday, with Game Threes if necessary set for Sunday.