Prisons spike Pipeline to launch KVF title defence in style

Kenya Prisons began their Kenyan Volleyball Federation (KVF) league women’s title defence bid in style, securing straight sets victory against arch-rivals Kenya Pipeline as the regular national league’s playoffs served off on Friday at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.

In  their impeccable start, the champions blew out the former champions in sets of 25-19, 25-23 and 25-13 to firmly announce their intentions of retaining their title for the second year running, after ending Pipeline’s four-year dominance in last year’s playoffs.

The Josp Barasa coached side will on Saturday 2pm line up against Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in their second match while the Oilers have a second bite on the cherry against KCB at 4pm in the three-day event.

Speaking after the win, the Wardresses head coach Barasa agreed that one hurdle was off their backs, already shifting focus to their next match in the round robin format event.

“It’s always a relief to win against a team like Pipeline because they are former champions and boast one of the best players in the country. We want to win the other two remaining matches in straight sets to defend our title,” underscored Barasa who doubles up as the Malkia Strikers second assistant coach.

On his part, Barasa’s opposite number Margret Indakhala was quick to admit defeat urging her arsenal to up their game against the Japheth Munala led KCB tomorrow.

“It is unfortunate that we have lost the first match because to win the playoffs you need to win all the three matches with a strong sets ratio difference but we will try to win the two matches and hope Prisons to lose so that our chances will be better,” she averred.

The top two teams in the men and ladies category will represent the country in next year’s African Club Championship slated to take place at the Al Ahyl stadium in Cairo, Egypt.

Additional reporting by Stanley Mativo