Volleyball: Trailblazers on the verge of playoffs after huge win over KFS
Trailblazers inched closer to making their maiden playoff appearance in this season's Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Men's National League thanks to a massive 3:1 win over Kenya Forest Service (KFS) in the two teams' seventh-leg encounter played at the Nyayo Stadium on Friday.
Both teams came into the game separated by two points on the standings and with eyes firmly set on the playoff race. The day would, however, end with the Blazers taking the three points, winning in four sets 25:18, 25:22, 20:25, 25:19.
Enjoying their debut campaign in the top-flight, Trailblazers now open up a gap in fourth place - the last of the play-off places - over fifth-placed Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) as they move up to 31 points from 13 matches played.
After the game, Trailblazers coach Geoffrey Omondi could not hide his joy as he described the win as the best his charges have managed this season.
Happy and proud
He said, "We came into this game knowing all too well what it would mean for us if we managed a win, so I am very happy and proud of my players for working hard, not just today but throughout the season. I can classify the win as one of our season's best, if not the best. We have worked hard and are now starting to see the fruits of it. The job is not yet done as we still have games to play, but after today we are 60% on our way."
The loss, in its part, is a big blow to KFS, who has had an outstanding season in their return to the league, as it all but ends their playoff hopes.
The Forest Rangers were sluggish throughout, even in the third set in which they won, perhaps due to the magnitude of the encounter. After the game, a visibly dejected Wachira Gatuiria sought to look at the bigger picture of having seen his charges fight this far in the season.
He said, "I salute my boys for being in the playoff race so late in the season. It shows that despite losing today, we have what it takes to be a force in this league. However, we will not lose hope of playing continental volleyball this season as you know anything can happen like last season."
Unique
Gatuiria was referring to last season's unique situation that saw Equity Bank, who had finished the campaign in fifth place, qualify for the Africa Club Championships in Tunisia after champions General Service Unit (GSU) pulled out of the tourney citing logistical reasons.
In another game played on Friday involving another title hopeful, defending champions GSU made light work of second from bottom Vihiga County by winning in straight sets 25:15, 25:22, 25:13.
The paramilitary side made it two wins in two in the leg after Thursday's win over Nairobi Prisons and now tie league leaders Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) at 34 points from 13 matches each.
Three teams are tied at the top of the log, with 2016 champions Kenya Prisons making it a three-way party after Central Prisons handed them all three points after they failed to turn up for the tie.
Three points were also dished out to KDF and Kenya Army due to walkovers against Mombasa Prisons and Central.
Friday's other results are as follows;
Equity Bank 3-1 Administration Police (AP) Kenya (25-17, 25-17, 22-25, 25-21)
Nairobi Prisons 3-1 Vihiga County (25-18, 25-19, 20-25 ,25-22)
Western Prisons 3:1 Vihiga County (25-18, 25-23, 20-25, 25-16)
Saturday Fixtures
Rift Valley Prisons v Kenya Defence Forces 9 am
KFS v General Service Unit 11 am
TrailBlazers v Nairobi Prisons 1 pm
Administration Police Kenya v KPA 3 pm
GSU v Central Prisons 5 pm
