Kamwala Magic volleyball team on Sunday defended its Zambia Volleyball Association (ZAVA) league title after beating another powerhouse Super Select 3-2 in sets.

The title is Magic’s seventh consecutive feat since 2012 despite not doing so well in tournaments that had been won by league runners-up and perpetual rival Super Select.

The deciding set that saw Magic crowned league champions was played at the University of Zambia sports hall and its highlight was the presence of a 14 year old setter, Meneni Chanda.

Chanda ,a grade eleven pupil at Munali Girls secondary school was Magic’s saviour during the deciding set of the game as she saved more than eight aces for the side and managed six digs from fierce Select spiker Sally Chilombo. The deciding set ended 15-13 in favour of Kamwala Magic.

Although Magic won the league title, the odds were seemingly in Select’s side as they won the first two sets 25-13 and 25-17. The third set however saw coach Enock Malasha’s girls make errors repeatedly and Magic benefitted from them thereby making it 2-1 in set.

Magic gained momentum and confidence and made cheap points out of the mistakes Select kept making until it was 2-2 in set.

Magic patron Kwasi Masole expressed happiness that his club successfully defended the league title and hoped for the best in the 2018 season.

“We did not start the season on a good note as we failed to win a number of tournaments but am glad we have defended the league title. I look forward to a better start to 2019 season and possibly defend the title one more time,” said Masole.

Meanwhile, Super Select coach Enock Malasha noted that his girls lost concentration after winning the first two sets.

“It was not their toughest game because Magic was not in its best form even in the sets they won. My girls lost concentration and could not pick up. They had bad passes, poor services and poor execution of the set balls. They could have done better,” noted Malasha.

Super Select are the runners-up while Green Buffaloes are third. Police side Nkwazi finished fourth while UNZA fifth and Spiking Stars on the bottom of the table.