Defending national women volleyball champion Kenya Pipeline is the team to beat at the ongoing CAVB Zone V Club Championships currently ongoing Uganda, having yet to lose a match.

The2024 tournament winners are eyeing a double and their immaculate 3-1(25-16/25-12/23-25/25-11)  over home side KCB Nkumba, with the oil merchants under coach George Omondi looking every bit the business in this competition.

That important win ensures Pipeline tops Group A with maximum points with eyes on the prize.

In their first duel against Ndejje Elites, the defending champions flew off the blocks impeccably, posting a score of 3-0 (25-16,25-20, 25-23).

The match at Lugogo Indoor Arena in Kampala, Uganda, wasa tight affair with Pipeline having to be alert and aggressive on thenet.The Kenyan champions have already picked up important wins in the eight-team competition.

Wins against Tanzania’s Prisons and Ugandan sidesNdejje Elites and KCB Nkumba see the holders finish top of pool A asthey look to build momentum for the rest of the tournament.Oneof the key players Trizah Atuka, who spoke to the media early on,stated, “We have had a good start to the tournament as defendingchampions. We are ready to defend the title for the second round.

Thecompetition is good and we cannot underrate any team,” she said.“This Zone 5 is important because it’s preparation for us for theAfrican championship,” she added.Inthe semifinals, Kenya Pipeline once again demonstrated their experienceand winning appetite after seeing the Ugandan side Sport-s Volleyballclub in straight sets of 3-0 (25-19/25-22/25-15).

Though a few mistakes on serves and blocks were witnessed, the Kenyan side proved innovative in their thinking as they strode home with an important result. Coach Omondi, who was making his debut in the tournament, said, “It is my first time in such a tournament, but for me and the technical side, it is about treating every game like a final. It is a huge and serious tournament that we cannot take for granted. We are keen to retain the title, but aside from that, this would be a great practice competition and preparation for this year’s Africa Women Volleyball Club Championship.”