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Ainembabazi's ability to get the right first pass to the setter and strike through the block in attack handed Police the advantage against an APR side that has been dominant the last two years.
As Rwanda celebrated her 29th anniversary of liberation, three Ugandan players left a mark on the volleyball scene in Kigali.
Ndejje Elites’ receiver-attacker Catherine Ainembabazi and middle blocker Sharon Amito helped Rwanda National Police defeat APR 3-1 in the final to win gold in the two-day tournament held in Rwanda’s capital Kigali.
Having put up a good show in the Rwanda Genocide Memorial Tournament in June, Ainembabazi was recalled for the Liberation Cup and delivered to expectations.
Her ability to get the right first pass to the setter and strike through the block in attack handed Police the advantage against an APR side that has been dominant the last two years.
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Police took the first two sets 25-14 and 25-18, respectively, before losing the third 20-25.
A dominant display in the fourth frame saw Police take it 25-14 to celebrate a second straight trophy in less than one month.
Amito also did damage in the middle with her blocks limiting APR’s offence.
In the men’s competition, two Volleyball Cranes stars, Cuthbert Malinga of Gisagara Volleyball Club and Gideon Angiro of APR, faced off.
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Angiro’s APR came out on top, winning 3-1 to send the fully-packed BK Arena into wild celebrations.
APR had fallen to Rwanda Energy Group in the semi-finals of the GMT but will dry their tears with the Liberation Cup.
After racing into a 2-0 lead following 25-21 and 25-22 first and second sets, the army side was pegged back in the third frame (25-23).
An exciting fourth set, however, ended with APR on top 27-25 to hand Angiro his first piece of silverware with his new side.
Next on the agenda for Ainembabazi is training with the Uganda Lady Volleyball Cranes ahead of the CAVB Women’s African Nations Championship slated for August in Cameroon.
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