Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Education of Kibungo (INATEK) beat rivals Rayon Sports 3-1 in the national volleyball league yesterday in Ngoma District to keep their title hopes alive.

League leaders, Rayon Sports, won the first set 25-21, before INATEK bounced back to win the remaining three sets with 25-22, 25-18 and 25-17.

INATEK used their strongest side of left attacker Olivier Ntagengwa, Patrick Kavalo and Osea Byabagamba to neutralize Rayon blocks and attacks of Nelson Murangwa and Pierre Marshal Kwizera.

It was probably the toughest game for Rayon Sports’s head coach Fidele Nyirimana, who didn’t have the services of his key players; Adolphe Mutoni, Nelson Murangwa and setters Theogene Tuyishime and Christian Shingiro.

Despite the loss, Rayon Sports still lead the table with 35 points, level with INATEK but the Nyanza-based side have one regular league game in hand against APR which will be played on June 27 at Amahoro indoor stadium.

"We lost because we didn’t concentrate as much as we would have liked, we have to blame ourselves but our first target remains winning the title. In the meantime, I am not satisfied with the way we played against INATEK,” lamented Nyirimana.

Dominic Sesonga Ntawangundi, the INATEK coach said that, "Every player put in their best effort, I couldn’t ask for more. We’re all happy to win this game,”

He added, "My players did exactly what I told them to do. I am happy for the win. However, we still have a lot of work to do before winning title.”

After the weekend game between APR and Rayon Sports, the top four teams namely; Rayon Sports, INATEK, APR and Kirehe will meet in the playoffs, while the bottom four; Kigali Volleyball Club, Lycee de Nyanza, Umubano Blue Tigers and Rusumo High School will also face-off to see which two teams will be relegated.