Westminster Dragons make noise internationally, bringing flair, excitement and energy to win both exhibition matches in Tashkent, Uzbekistan!
Game Day 1 (3/3/23) – Our Dragons Women’s Volleyball team would take centre stage first on the 3rd March 2023, playing a select Tashkent team of players from club and university levels. After a brave effort, our Dragons fell short 2-0 on sets to the home side.
Westminster Dragons’ first competition is the Tashkent Junior Select, comprising some of the country’s best junior talent. Dragons would dominate from the start, finishing the game 102-54. The Taskent Junior Select showed players with potential and skill competing till the end. After the game finished, both teams had fun with a bit of “exhibition” of 1-on-1 between players from either team and a dunk showcase for the fans.
Game Day MVP Aundre Reid who put on a show with long distance shooting and an in-game dunk for the locals to enjoy.
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Game Day 2 (04/03/23) – would be the most exciting and anticipated match-up, as the Dragons would face off with the home university WIUT Wolves.
Women’s Volleyball would demonstrate courage and heart against the Wolves, going down 2-0 and fighting back to 2-2. The Wolves would calm the nerves and display experience to close out the final set, defeating the Dragons in the first-ever international match-up between the Westminster’s.
In a full-packed gym at Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT), the Men’s Basketball Wolves would face off with the Dragons in the main event.
The event attracted National TV Station UZREPORT and Uzbekistan Olympic Taekwondo Gold Medalist Ulugbek Rashito, the WIUT Wolf himself, a half-time show from the WIUT Cheerleaders and local musicians and bands to perform the pre-game national anthem.
The eagerly awaited game didn’t disappoint, as both teams were aggressive and physical from the tip-off. Dragons started to pull away after a close and competitive 1st quarter, taking a 55-29 lead into half-time. Westminster would dominate the second half and finish the game 102-54, ending with a trademark dunk from American guard Aundre Reid. Both teams would pose for photographs and exchange jerseys in a historic moment for Westminster, as two international universities unite in sport and education.
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Game Day MVP Rinor Dragusha who put on a all-round solid performance and finished top scorer. Rinor Dragusha also won our Tour MVP, the player who shown the most consistency and effort throughout the trip chosen by the Head Coach Clive Castillo.
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Thank you Westminster University for providing our coaches and players with this opportunity to represent the Dragons internationally. Thank you to Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT), IUT Students’ Union and Sport and all the students for excellent hospitality and an unforgettable experience.
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