The KCB Volleyball Team emerged as champions of the 2024 Kipchumba Karori Eldoret International Volleyball Tournament, held at Eldoret National Polytechnic, Uasin Gishu County. This marks their third consecutive title in the prestigious competition, solidifying their dominance in East African volleyball.
KCB clinched the trophy with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over rivals DCI Sleuths in an exhilarating final. The match showcased intense competition as both teams pushed each other to their limits. KCB claimed the opening set 27-25, followed by a dominant 25-16 win in the second set. DCI fought back to take the third set 18-25, but KCB sealed the victory with a commanding 25-18 triumph in the fourth set.
Speaking after the win, KCB Head Coach Japheth Munala expressed pride in his team’s performance.
“It’s incredible to win this tournament for the third consecutive year. I commend the ladies for their resilience and determination. We aim to carry this momentum into next year,” Munala said.
KCB’s success was further highlighted by individual accolades. Rising stars Terry Tata and Fridah Boke, both fresh from high school, were named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and Best Setter, respectively. Additionally, Lincy Jeruto was recognized as the Best Libero, underscoring KCB’s depth of talent.
The road to the final was a testament to KCB’s dominance. They secured commanding 3-0 victories over Uganda’s Kampala Amateur Volleyball Club (25-13, 25-15, 25-9) and KCCA (25-13, 25-16, 25-22), as well as a solid 3-0 win against DCI in the group stages (25-22, 25-23, 25-22). In the semi-finals, KCB defeated Kenya Pipeline with a clinical 3-0 performance (25-23, 25-19, 25-22).
On the other hand, DCI advanced to the finals after a thrilling five-set victory against Kenya Prisons, overcoming a spirited fightback to win 3-2 (25-20, 19-25, 26-24, 22-25, 13-15).
Reflecting on the triumph, KCB captain Edith Wisa expressed her delight.
“This win is a huge morale booster for us. We came prepared, and it’s rewarding to see our efforts pay off. Credit goes to the entire team for their hard work and dedication,” Wisa said.
The 14th edition of the Kipchumba Karori Eldoret International Volleyball Tournament featured teams from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and other nations, offering fans a thrilling showcase of volleyball excellence.
