Veronica Gwaze
IF the University of Zimbabwe volleyball team were to be equated to English Premier Soccer League outfit Chelsea, Wolves’ star Melody Moyo could be their version of midfielder Ngolo Kante.
Just like the hardworking Chelsea player, Moyo chooses to do most of her talking on the court.
Slender and not so vocal, the uncelebrated power hitter, also known as the “Silent Assassin”, appears to be on her way to stardom, both on and off the volleyball courts.
Moyo, just like former Dynamos and Zimbabwe soccer star Tauya “Flying Doctor” Murehwa, is gifted both academically and in sport.
Apart from adding the wow factor to her side, she holds an Honours degree in Economic History and is now studying towards a master’s degree for the same programme.
Murehwa studied medicine at the University of Zimbabwe while playing professional football.
Moyo said she eases her academic pressure by playing volleyball.
“Having to balance both is very hectic and sometimes frustrating. I feel so much pressure sometimes and whenever I feel that way, I step on to the volleyball courts. The courts keep me sane.
“With volleyball, all the pressures go away. Emerging from there, I will be ready to pick up my books again,” Moyo said.
The 25-year-old started playing volleyball during her primary school days at Insukamini Primary, before proceeding to Mpopoma High School in Bulawayo.
In fact, she is an all-round sports- person who has tried her hand in several other disciplines, before eventually settling for volleyball.
In 2011, she signed for her first club, Highlanders.
A year later, she made her debut at the National Youth Games in Bulawayo where her province emerged tops.
This proved to be her breakthrough as many offers began to pour in.
But despite the offers, Moyo stayed put.
In 2014, during the Zimbabwe Open Championships in Gweru, Moyo gave UZ Wolves, the local powerhouse, a torrid time as she stood between them and the title.
This prompted then UZ Wolves coach Jonathan Gava to sign her.
In an earlier interview after snapping up Moyo, Gava had this to sa: “Never in Zimbabwe had we played against such a young talented player. She was still in high school then and we made it a point to snap her up at the earliest possible opportunity.”
This season, Moyo has charmed her paymasters with consistent shows. She has also won the hearts of many fans.
Moyo paid tribute to her coach, Chris Chivhinge, saying he is playing an instrumental role in helping her balance the demands of the sport and her studies.
Chivhinge takes her through extra lessons and helps her with some school assignments.
Although she is focused on helping Wolves win at the 2019 Zone VI titles in Malawi next month, Moyo acknowledges that she still has a soft spot for her first home — Highlanders.
“I still have a thing with Highlanders, they helped me, graduate(d) me from being a girl to being a lady. I owe them so much.
“From the spirit we acquired during my days with them, they are volleyballers at heart,” she said.