•Kenya Pipeline coach Margaret Indakala makes one change to the regular squad
• Captain Atuka says the result is proof that they are work in progress
Image: courtesy
After missing the final slot, Kenya Pipeline women’s team saved the country's face after settling for bronze at the just concluded African Club Championship in Cairo, Egypt yesterday.
The Oilers defended their last year's third place after beating GSP of Algeria 3-0 (25-22,25-17,25-18) in the third position play-off.
Kenya Pipeline coach Margaret Indakala made one change to the regular squad that has started in all the matches, giving the starting role to right attacker Gaudencia Makokha in place of Esther Wangeci.
The Kenyans were blunt in the early stages of the match but picked up the pace as the match progressed to lead 16:13 at the second technical time out and then 21-20.
At this point, Indakala rested experienced setter Janet Wanja for rookie Esther Mutinda. The move paid off as the Oilers opened a 23-21 gap before winning the set 25-22.
In the second set, Pipeline took an early lead as every department worked in unison. Sharon Chepchumba impressed with her hard-hitting spikes as Pipeline led 8-2 in the first technical time.
Mutinda, Triza Atuka and Makokha combined well upfront as Oilers continued with their good run to take the game to 16-7 at the second technical time out and extended it to 22-14.
Once again, Indakala rested Chepchumba for another rookie Betty Sifuna and libero Aggripina Kundu for Cellestine Nyongesa en-route bagging the set 25-17.
Chepchumba was recalled in the third set that was closely contested as both teams pushed each other close with the board reading 4-4, 5-5, 6-6 in the opening stages. Kenya Pipeline then opened a two-point lead (8-6) at the first TTO.
The North Africans once again capitalised on unforced errors from the East Africans to tie the game at 13-13 and 14-15. Chepchumba then broke the deadlock with Pipeline leading 16-15 at the second TTO.
GSP would not keep up with Pipeline razor blade like spikes as Naomi Too and Ekaru scored points to open the gap 18-15, 21-16 before bagging the set 25-18.
In a post a match interview, captain Atuka was gracious in their win saying: “This is proof that we are work in progress. I am happy we finished on the podium and we have picked good lessons here. I’m especially proud of the rookies who have outdone themselves. We can only get better.”
Other Kenya counterparts KCB were ranked in the ninth position having won against their East African compatriots Rwanda Revenue Authority 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-11) on Sunday night.