Pipeline's Chepchumba voted best attacker in African Championships

Fast-rising Kenya Pipeline women's volleyball team left attacker Sharon Chepchumba was awarded the best attacker as the African Club Championships came to an end in Cairo, Egypt, on Monday night.

Chepchumba exploits helped Pipeline retain the bronze medal they won last year after they saw off GSP of Algeria 3-0(25-22,25-17,25-18) in 3/4 play-off match played earlier.

The left attacker, who ditched Kenya Prisons' early this year for Pipeline, was gracious in her winning, saying she can only get better.

"I'm extremely happy for getting the award among the many players who featured for various clubs here. It's indeed a very humbling experience. With this accolade, the sky could be the lower limit for me and my team [Kenya Pipeline] going forward," the 20-year-old said.

Kenya's international referee Lucy Chege went into the history books as the first woman from Kenya to referee at the Africa Club Championship finals.

Chege was the second official during the finals pitting hosts and champions; Al Ahly and Carthage of Tunisia, where the Egyptians defended their title with a 3-1 victory.

Chege, who is an employee of Kenya Pipeline, trained and qualified as an international referee in 2014 courtesy of her employer after retiring from playing active volleyball.

The ex-international centre player known for her calm but strict adherence to the rule of the game, outsmarted 17 other referees from across the continent to officiate in the final.

Seconded to Kenya Pipeline by the Confederation of African volleyball this year's club championship, Chege cemented her authority in the refereeing sphere by her firmness to decisions.

Helen Gichuru, Pipeline' s head of delegation to Cairo, admits Chege never takes sides in a competition.

"She is one of the fairest umpires I've ever met," Gichuru said.