The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
WHAT do you when an opponent gives you nightmares each time you play against his team? Well, you could sign the player. At whatever cost. This is how local ladies volleyball powerhouses UZ Wolves solved the problem called Melody Moyo. During the Zimbabwe Open Championships in Gweru two years ago, Moyo did her best to stand between Wolves and the title.
History will tell you that UZ Wolves beat Highlanders 3-0 in the final but those who watched the match will testify that the favourites played against Moyo.
Wolves coach Jonathan Gava vividly recalls the “Melo moment-of brilliance”.
“We played against her in the Zimbabwe Open Championships in Gweru in 2014 and she made the game difficult for us. 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,” said Gava.
Now 21, Moyo has just enrolled at the UZ on a full scholarship.
The power hitter made her debut at the recent College Games but knows that the real business, the main reason she was signed, is the Harare Volleyball Association League which came to life last weekend.
“It feels so good to be here,” said Moyo, a first year Bachelor of Arts student. “I am looking forward to developing my skills and being a better player. One thing I like about this arrangement is that I can do both the academics and volleyball.
“I could not have asked for a better start to life at Wolves because I was the best scoring player at the College Games and we also won the championship.”
Moyo still has a soft spot for Highlanders, but is focused on taking the HVAL by storm with Wolves.
“Adjusting to the HVAL isn’t really a problem because I played for Highlanders in the Bulawayo Volleyball Association league before. It is not really different from the HVAL and sometimes we would play teams from Harare in tournaments, so personally I feel I have no need to adjust, its business as usual.
“One of my memorable moments with Highlanders was when we reached the semi-finals of the Club Championships in Swaziland in 2014. I love the club and wish them well,” she said.
Her teammates call Moyo the Smiling Assassin and she has a very good explanation for always doing the business with a smile.
“I always play with a smile because I will be having fun. Volleyball makes me feel good, I don’t see the reason why you should be doing something when you don’t love and enjoy it,” said the UZ Wolves player.
