(Seychelles News Agency) - The Seychelles' ladies volleyball teams Anse Royale (ARSU) and Cascade will face each other in the semi-finals of the 23rd volleyball championship for the clubs of the zone 7 taking place in Mauritius.

ARSU qualified as leader of Group D, and Cascade finished second in Group C, setting up an all-Seychellois showdown in one of the semi-final matches in the competition organised by the African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB).

Zone 7 includes countries from the Indian Ocean – Madagascar, Mauritius, the Comoros and Seychelles – a group of 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean.   

ARSU winner of the competition last year in Madagascar is the favourite once again in this year’s championship. In a remake of last year’s final on Tuesday, the ladies of Anse Royale from the south of Mahe, the main island, defeated Malagasy Stef’ Auto in 3 sets -- 25-21, 25-20 and 28-26.

In two previous matches, ARSU won 3-0 against Azur SC of Mauritius and defeated another Mauritian team Tranquebar Black Rangers also 3-0.

Cascade -- coming from the east of Mahe -- lost their match 3-2 against Mauritian Quatre-Bornes VBC leading Group C, leaving them in second place. They won their two previous matches -- 3-0 against Champs VBC of Rodrigues and 3-1 over AMVB of Madagascar.

On the Seychelles’ men’s side, Premium Spikers made their first victory 3-1 against Roche Bon Dieu of Rodrigues on Tuesday, finishing third in Group B. They lost both of their two previous games – 3-1 against Mauritian Curepipe Starlight and 3-0 versus Gendarmerie Nationale Volleyball Club of Madagascar.

The other Seychellois men's team, Beau Vallon, had a match against Mauritian Trou aux Biche Sharks on Tuesday.  The team from northern Mahe lost 3-0 in their match against Quatre-Bornes VBC.

The semi final matches are expected to take place on Thursday and the finals on Saturday.