The Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) National League semifinals play-off ties kicked off in top gear as Kenya Pipeline and DCI Women Volleyball sides claimed commanding leads on Friday, May 23, 2025, in Makande Indoor Arena in Mombasa.

Pipeline outshone defending champions KCB with a 3-1 victory in Game 1ahead of their rematch on Saturday, May 24, 2025.

The thrilling showdown between the two brought the hall to a standstill as the elite ladies’ team, determined to leave everything on the court, went for each other’s neck.

The reigning champions, led by Edith Wissa, kicked off to a dream start to win the first set 25-14.

Boasting the talented and seasoned players in their fray in Gladys Ekaru and Vioet Makuto, Pipeline summoned a spirited fight to claim the second and third sets with 25-16 and 25-18 margins.

Buoyed by the comeback, Pipeline once more dug deep to shrug off their rivals’ intent and narrowly claim the day’s honours on a 25-21 margin.

The victory saw Geoffrey Omondi claim a crucial advantage against Japheth Munala’s charges, sealing a 3-1 victory in the first match of the best-of-three series.

The pair will clash once again in Saturday’s game 2 in what promises to be another closely fought encounter.

GSU downs Equity

In the men’s category, GSU shot to a crucial lead in the playoff semifinal series after securing a 3-1 victory over Equity Bank in Game 1 of the best-of-three matchup played on Friday.

The experienced paramilitary side claimed the first two sets before Equity bank, led by coach Patrick Owino, rallied to bag the third.

GSU however, held their nerves to wrap up the first meeting on a 25-23 score line.

Gideon Tarus’ charges now shift focus to Saturday’s Game 2 with a win set to secure their place in the men’s final.
Equity Bank will look to levels the series in the decisive third match as they seek to force the tie to a final day decider on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) women’s team made yet another statement of their fast-rising acclaim by pulling of a thrilling 3–2 upset over Prisons Kenya.
(21-25,25-12,24-26,25-22 and 12-15)

DCI and Prisons traded wins with the former winning the first and third sets before turning the tables on fancied rivals in the final decider set on a 15-12 score line.

Prisons now look up to Saturday’s game 2 meet up, hoping to bounce back and set up a decider match on Sunday