Jeshi Stars and Tanzania Prisons were crowned champions of the Dar es Salaam Volleyball Association (DAREVA) League in the men’s women’s category respectively.
The regional volleyball league playoffs climaxed at the National Indoor Stadium in the city over the weekend, with Jeshi Stars stunning tournament favourite Tanzania Prisons 3-1 in a thrilling final match.
The newly-crowned champions had won their previous two matches and Sunday’s win ensured that they won the league title with maximum points.
Jeshi Stars started the game strongly and won the first and second sets to take a 2-0 lead before Tanzania Prisons pulled one back by taking the third set.
But Prisons’ resurgence could not last after a dominant Jeshi Stars side turned the waves to win the fourth set and seal a 3-1 victory in the best of five final.
Before the finals, Tanzania Prisons were given big chance to win this year’s championship after leading the table in the previous two legs before the playoff matches.
Eight men’s teams battled it out in the two legs for a place in the four play-off slots. Tanzania Prisons was yet to lose a game before the final.
They also won all two matches played against Jeshi Stars. Other teams in the men’s playoff were JKT Stars who suffered defeat to both; Jeshi Stars and Tanzania Prisons and Police Marine who could not register a single point at this stage.
The men’s teams that could not book their place in the playoff were Twalipo, Makongo Secondary, Future and Chui. In the women’s category, Tanzania Prisons triumphed without losing a game after thrashing a youthful Makongo Secondary team 3-0 in the final.
Tanzania Prisons dominated their opponent from the first whistle. Makongo had to settle for the second spot after winning their first match against JKT Stars.
JKT Stars ladies finished bottom in the three-team league after, while Jeshi Stars pulled out of the tournament due to other commitments.
The long-run DAREVA league first leg started in February and climaxed in April, paving way for the second leg that kicked off in May.
The regional volleyball governing body organised long run league with the view to give players enough games to improve their standards.
And the association’s idea paid off as teams showed improvement and recorded good results as the tournament continued.
Among the teams that improved gradually on the course of the tournament are Makongo boys and Chui ladies.
Source Tanzania Daily News