Defending champions Kenya Prisons head coach Josp Barasa has urged his charges to remain focused to the end after winning their opening duel at the 2019 volleyball league playoffs held at the Safaricom Indoor Arena yesterday.
The former African champions began their title defence campaign on a high note, clipping longtime rivals Kenya Pipeline in straight sets.
"The girls have done well today (yesterday) and we have to give our all if we are to retain the trophy. The first win is a morale booster for us and we will hold onto that in our subsequent matches," said Barasa.
The evergreen middle blocker and former Kenya international Bracedes Agala, the hard-hitting Mercy Moim and setter Joy Lusenaka starred as the warders destroyed the Embakasi-based lineup.
International beach volleyball player Naomi Too and fast-rising Sharon Chepchumba's fierce offensives were not sufficient to secure Pipeline the opening set as Prisons won 25-19. It was a neck-to-neck affair in the second set as the teams tied at (4-4) and then 13-13 before pipeline took a 15-16 lead at the last technical timeout (TTO) courtesy of Gaudencia Makokha's hard hit.
Pipeline maintained the lead to until Prisons caught up with their opponents at 22-22. Pipeline suffered a setback when Too picked a nasty knee injury and Prisons had their way, cruising to a 25-23 win for a 2-0 set advantage. Too's absence sunk in the oilers' camp in the uneventful third set.
Prisons led in scores from the first to the last whistle, grabbing an 8-3 lead at the first TTO then 16-7 and won the set 25-13 and sealing their 3-0 triumph.
In the second tie of the day, Kesogon High School's Belinda Barasa opened the scores in the game and garnered three more points as KCB led 6-2. Coach Munala's side went on to take a 16-8 advantage then 21-11 and win the set 25-15.
DCI regrouped in the second set to open a 5-7 gap but their party was soon brought to a halt as their opponents took command of the proceedings to lead 16-12 at the second TTO. DCI, coached by Daniel Bor found themselves trailing 22-19 before Munala's charges grabbed a 25-20 win.
An unforced error by the detectives marked the third set. Despite right attacker, Maureen Wekesa, also a student at Kenyatta University sending heavy spikes KCB's way, laxity amongst the DCI players dealt them a blow as they trailed 4-1 and 11-4.
Net serves, bad blocking and poor reception on DCI's side gave way for opponents Leonida Kasaya, Belinda and Noel Murambi to shine as KCB bagged the third set 25-11 and a 3-0 altogether. DCI face Prisons as KCB lock horns with Pipeline in the second women's faceoff.
