Prisons spike off defence with win

Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) women’s league defending champions Kenya Prisons started their title defence off to a winning start as they beat arch-rivals Pipeline 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-13) in the national playoffs opener.  

Prisons led in both the first and second technical time outs (TTO) at 8-6 and 16-13 in the first set. They went on to win the set 25-19. 

Pipeline re-grouped in the second set to take slim leads in both TTO’s at 8-7 and 16-15. The Margret Indakhala coached Pipeline extended the lead to 19-15 and looked well in the way of bagging the second set. 

However, a knee injury to left attacker Naomi Too stopped them in their tracks. Prisons capitalised on their mental lapse to win the second set 25-23. With Indhakala’s charges mentally beaten, Prisons had an easy third set winning 25-13. 

Come back stronger

“There was an element of nerves in the first set but after settling down,  the players were ready to fight it out.  Team captain Too’s an injury, however,  affected the team mentally and there was little I could do to get back in the match.  We now hope to come back stronger in the remaining matches,” said Indakhala.  

On his part,  Prisons’ coach Josp Barasa says they shift their focus on winning the match against Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)  Friday as it will give them the much needed mental strength to go strong against KCB for a perfect finish.  

“Generally we had a good match against Pipeline but we faltered in the second set.  Our setting and attack were wanting. Two substitutions at the time helped us get back in the game. 

Too’s an unfortunate injury also slowed our opponents.  She is a good and experienced player and was an integral part of Pipeline’s attack,” said Barasa.   

Meanwhile, last year’s silver medalist KCB had a relatively easy time in their opener against debutants DCI. The bankers beat the Daniel Bor coached side by straight sets of 25-15, 25-20,25-11. 

Japheth Munala’s charges, KCB, take on Pipeline today as Prisons play DCI. With Pipeline missing key players in skipper Triza Atuka and her assistant Too, the Bankers have an upper hand in Saturday’s match.  

A win for KCB will set up a decider match against Prisons, the latter tipped to go past debutants DCI.

–Lynette Matheka