Eyes on playoffs in KVF national league finale

Action galore is expected this weekend in Nakuru, when the Kenya Volleyball Federation national league curtains fall with battle for top-four finish expected to highlight the final leg.

The top four teams book the playoffs tickets for both men and women, set for November 23-25 in the Kasarani Indoor Arena, to determine the 2018 winners.

Fresh from reigning supreme in Tanzania in the Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Cup, men league leaders and defending champions General Service Unit (GSU) are hoping to guard their unbeaten record and go all the way and book a playoff slot.

GSU’s Team Manager Nicholas Kimeli is upbeat his charges will rule the Nakuru meet, having seen off their compatriots and 2016 champions Mombasa Prisons by 3-1 sets to win the annual tournament.

“I am optimistic our boys will win all the league matches and qualify for the top-four slot. Our target remains to defend our title and following the win in Tanzania, we are sure we will dominate in Nakuru,” Kimeli told.

The paramilitary side sits top of the log on 35 points, a point above Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) who are the second, with Kenya Prisons and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) taking the final play-offs positions respectively.

GSU will serve off the final leg against hosts Nakuru at 9.00am and subsequently confront struggling Vihiga County team before wrapping up this year’s season against KPA.

The Gideon Tarus coached side will be also hunting the Nakuru County volleyball open tournament which will be preceded by the league fixtures.

The champions bagged the Makueni tournament last month in Wote after thrashing KPA in the finals.

Breathing fire

In women’s category, defending champions Kenya Pipeline tactician Japheth Munala is breathing fire ahead of Nakuru assignment.

The seasoned tactician who missed the penultimate league as he was away with the women’s national team in Japan for World Championship says his top guns ready to wrap up the league in style.

“Most of my players traveled to Japan and I know they learnt something there, thus I expect them to do well in Nakuru. Our target is to finish the league unbeaten and go all the way to defend our title in the play-offs,” said Munala.

The champions, who lead the table with 21 points, are penciled to face second placed KCB before finishing the 2018 season against perennial and third placed opponents, Kenya Prisons.