Day 6: Customs Men, COAS Women Tighten Grip as CGC Volleyball Premier League Reaches Feverish Point
The battle to dethrone reigning champions, CNS Spikers and Nigeria Customs Service in the men’s and women’s categories at the 3rd Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Volleyball Premier League continued to gather momentum on Day 6 in Abuja, with several teams strengthening their positions after six days of intense competition.
With the first phase gradually moving towards its decisive stages, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), COAS Spikers, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), CNS Spikers and NSCDC remain firmly in the hunt in the men’s category, while Nigeria Customs Service, COAS Spikers, NSCDC, Benue Queens and Anambra Queens continue to set the pace among the women.
In the men’s division, reigning champions CNS Spikers secured a 3-1 victory over Kano Pillars. After taking the opening set 25-18, CNS briefly lost momentum in the second set before regaining control to win the next two sets and secure an important victory that keeps them among the leading teams.
NSCDC also enhanced their playoff credentials with a straight-set victory over Sunshine Spikers, winning 25-19, 25-21 and 25-17. The win added to an impressive campaign that has seen them record crucial victories since the opening day.
UCEM Volleyball Club recorded another notable result, defeating Offa VC 3-0. The victory marked a significant improvement for the side, which had struggled for consistency in the opening rounds.
COAS Spikers maintained their impressive run with a commanding 3-0 victory over Life Camp VC. Although the second set stretched into a tense battle that ended 32-30, COAS remained composed to complete the sweep and continue their rise up the standings.
Nigeria Correctional Service once again demonstrated why they are among the strongest teams in the competition. After dropping the first set against Nigeria Police Force, they rallied superbly to win the next three sets and record a 3-1 victory. The result followed their wins over UCEM VC, Life Camp VC and Ajase Ipo in earlier rounds, keeping them firmly among the title challengers despite a lone defeat to CNS Spikers.
League leaders Nigeria Customs Service continued their flawless campaign with another straight-set victory, this time over Ajase Ipo. They have been the most consistent men’s team so far, having recorded victories over NSCDC, Nigeria Police Force, Defence Spikers, Nigeria Correctional Service, Sunshine Spikers and Ajase Ipo without dropping a match.
In the women’s category, Anambra Queens continued their resurgence with a convincing 3-0 victory over Life camp VC. The win further strengthened their standing after earlier successes against Excelsior VC and Benue Queens.
One of the most entertaining matches of the day saw NSCDC edge VIP & Partners 3-2. After sharing the first four sets, NSCDC dominated the deciding set 15-6 to claim a valuable victory. The result underlined the progress of both teams, with VIP & Partners remaining one of the surprise packages of the season despite the defeat.
Olalomi Royal Angels returned to winning ways with a straight-set victory over Excelsior VC, while Nigeria Customs Service reinforced their status as championship favourites by sweeping aside Fire Service 3-0. Customs remain unbeaten and have looked superior throughout the first phase, recording dominant wins over Benue Queens, VIP & Partners, Kada Emeralds and Fire Service.
The headline fixture in the women’s division saw COAS Spikers defeat long-time rivals CNS Spikers 3-1. The victory further extended COAS’ recent dominance over their military counterparts and boosted their ambitions of challenging for the title.
COAS head coach Elishama Elam praised the resilience of her players after the hard-fought victory. According to him, the match was intense because both teams know each other well, but his players showed character after trailing by as many as seven points during one of the games.
“We told the girls it is not over until it is all over. They gave their best and were resilient to earn the win,” Elam said.
The coach noted that COAS have now established a winning run over CNS, having defeated them in the Super Cup and again in the first phase of the league, but stressed that their rivals still deserve respect.
“We have taken that dominance over them but we cannot underrate them. The players were told to put in their very best and I am glad they won the game.”
Despite the strong performances, Elam refused to make title predictions, insisting her team remains focused on staying competitive and taking each match as it comes.
Elsewhere, Benue Queens produced an impressive comeback to defeat Kada Emeralds 3-1, recovering from the loss of the opening set to claim a valuable victory that keeps them in contention near the top of the standings.
After six days of action, Nigeria Customs Service remain the benchmark in both the men’s and women’s divisions, while COAS Spikers, NSCDC, CNS Spikers, Nigeria Correctional Service, Benue Queens and Anambra Queens continue to position themselves for strong finishes as the race for honours intensifies in Abuja.
