The Sunday Mail
Thelma Zvavamwe (pictured) is a towering beauty who is proving to be unplayable on the volleyball court.
Standing at 1,72 meters, the University of Zimbabwe player boasts a powerful serve that is terrorising opponents in the Harare Volleyball League.
A member of the women’s national team, Zvavamwe can claim to be the best in her trade on the local front.
She has won several accolades but she still remains hungry for more.
With the HVL heading for a thrilling climax, the 25-year-old power hitter has upped the stakes, boldly declaring that UZ will end the season as champions.
“Competition is tough, but I believe we can lift the HVA title with Zimpost being the team that can make it difficult for us.
“Everyone in the team is working hard and the fact that we are topping the standings makes it imperative for us to continue working hard,” she said.
Last year Zvavamwe helped UZ to the National League title before the team went on to reach the semi finals of the Zone Six Volleyball Club Championships held in Botswana.
She was also part of the national team that participated in the World Championships qualifiers held in Zambia last year.
She has performed beyond her own expectations this year, winning the Zimbabwe Volleyball Open and the Harare Volleyball Open titles.
The Veterinary Medicine student is dreaming of playing volleyball at the highest level.
“I love challenges and hope to play at the highest possible platform,” she revealed.
“Being a university student, undertaking probably the most difficult studies, requires maximum concentration.
“However, I have found playing volleyball helpful because it refreshes me after my studies.”
Zvavamwe’s talent came to national attention at the 2003 National Youth Games in Masvingo.
Her performances as the captain of Mashonaland West Province saw several clubs jostling for her signature.
Yet she only turned to volleyball as an alternative after disappointment in chess.
“I have literally played every sport except rugby and soccer, but volleyball has turned out to be the best sport I have ever played.
“However, the only reason I started playing volleyball was to find ways of travelling out of school. By then I was at Sanyati Baptist High School and I joined the volleyball team after losing district chess final,” she said.
Zvavamwe almost quit volleyball for high jump soon after her high school, but meeting University of Zimbabwe’s long-serving player Danai Mangeya changed her mind.
“That signalled the launch of my national volleyball career, a sport that has become part of my life.
“All things being equal I would want to continue being involved in the sport even after I become a veterinary surgeon.”
