Kenya Prisons women’s team opposite hitter Lydia Maiyo
has fired a warning shot ahead of the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF)
League semifinals, reiterating the squad’s burning desire to reclaim the
national title.
The
semifinal action serves off today at the Makande Indoor Arena in
Mombasa, where the top four men’s and women’s teams will battle it out
in a best-of-three series for a place in next month’s Grand Finale at
the Kasarani Indoor Arena.
In
the women’s bracket, Prisons, KCB, Directorate of Criminal
Investigation (DCI) and Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) will go
head-to-head, while the men’s semifinals pit GSU, Equity Bank, Kenya
Prisons, and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) against each other.
Prisons
women will launch their campaign at 9am against a determined DCI side,
before defending champions KCB face off with KPC at 11am.
The
men’s fixtures follow in the afternoon, with GSU locking horns with
Equity at 1 pm and Prisons Men clashing with KPA at 3 pm.
Having last lifted the title in 2021, Maiyo believes the wardresses are primed to reclaim their crown.
“Things
are looking good. We have prepared well and are confident of winning
against DCI to punch our ticket to the final,” said Maiyo, who joined
Prisons in 2007.
“DCI is a strong team, but if we control the tempo and stick to our system, we can sail through.”
She highlighted the intensive preparations which the team has undergone to prepare for the semifinal showdown. "We have trained well and the players are raring to go,” she added.
Maiyo,
who joined the wardress in 2007, however, noted that the clash could
prove tricky, but the team was capable of sailing through.
Prisons
Women stormed into the semis after sweeping Kenya Army 3-0 (25-18,
25-9, 25-14) at the Nyayo Gymnasium, while DCI made light work of
Nairobi Water with a straight-sets win of 25-8, 25-19, 25-12.
DCI head coach Patrick Sang highlighted their previous wins over Prisons as a motivation booster heading into today's clash.
"Our
wins against Prisons in recent times have given us morale, and we know
that with hard work and determination, anything can happen,” Sang said.
He further noted that his side is ready to go all out for the title.
“We have what it takes to battle for the trophy. We have matured and we are ready to conquer," he stated.
On
the men’s side, Kenya Prisons opposite attacker Michael Chemos is
optimistic his side can shake off a shaky season and deliver against a
resilient KPA.
“We
haven’t been at our best, mainly because some of our key players —
Elphas Makuto and Dennis Esokon — are away on pro duty in Rwanda,”
Chemos said. “But we regrouped well and that’s how we earned our semifinal slot.”
The experienced hitter insisted that they are approaching the semis with tactical discipline and respect for their opponents.
“We
know KPA is no pushover, but we are taking it one match at a time.
Every team wants the title — but we’re not ready to hand it over just
yet.”
