The Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) volleyball team, reigning national champions, faced a decisive defeat at the hands of Kenya Prisons during the first game of the final playoffs.
The match, held at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani Indoor Arena, ended in straight sets with scores of 26-24, 25-16, 25-17, showcasing the warders’ complete control over the game.
The semi-final victors over Kenya Pipeline, Prisons entered the finals with determination, a sentiment echoed by head coach Josp Barasa who expressed his pleasure with the team’s strong start and overall performance.
KCB, on the other hand, seemed disjointed throughout the match. The absence of star player Mercy Moim was keenly felt as the team struggled to keep up with Prisons’ intensity.
Despite the setback, KCB’s captain Edith Wisa remained optimistic, citing the series format of the finals as an opportunity for the team to regroup and come back stronger in the next game.
Prisons took an early lead in the first set and maintained their dominance with solid blocking, particularly from Immaculate Chemutai, Anne Lowem, and Pamela Jepkirui. KCB managed to level the score midway through the set, but a couple of critical errors allowed Prisons to clinch the set.
The subsequent sets saw Prisons continue their dominance, with KCB unable to keep pace, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense series of games in the quest for the championship title.
