The KCB volleyball team, led by head coach Japheth Munala, emerged victorious over their arch-rivals Kenya Pipeline In a dramatic conclusion to the Kenya Volleyball Federation women’s league regular season.
The defending champions overcame an initial setback to win the match 3-1, with set scores of 23-25, 25-14, 27-25, and 25-23 at the Kasarani Stadium Indoor Arena.
Despite the victory, Coach Munala remains cautious, reminding his team not to underestimate Pipeline, who had previously defeated them in the Africa Women’s Club Championship. “Winning against KPC is a significant achievement, but we must enhance our attacking strategies,” Munala stated, expressing satisfaction with the win but acknowledging areas for improvement.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Kenya Pipeline taking the first set. However, KCB bounced back decisively in the second set. The third set was a nail-biter, with both teams pushing each other to the limit, but KCB ultimately prevailed. A strategic time-out called by Munala in the fourth set was pivotal, allowing KCB to recover from a deficit and secure a commanding win.
KCB’s victory was marked by standout performances, particularly from Mariam Musa, the new addition to the team, and Deborah Jesang, last year’s school games MVP, who excelled in the opposite attacking role.
On the other side, Kenya Pipeline’s coach Esther Jepkosgei cited the absence of key player Trizah Atuka as a significant factor in their loss. “We felt Atuka’s absence, and though the team gave their all, we’ll use this experience to prepare for the knockout stage,” Jepkosgei remarked.
Looking ahead, KCB is set to face Kenya Army, while Kenya Pipeline will compete against Post Bank in the upcoming quarter-finals.
In another highlight of the weekend, the General Service Unit (GSU) pulled off an upset against Kenya Prisons, winning 3-2 and advancing in the league standings. GSU is now preparing to face Administration Police in their final match of the season, hoping to maintain their momentum.
