Thrills and spills as curtains come down on KVF League

The 2018 Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF)  League season came down in the most dramatic of ways on Monday at the Kasarani Indoor Arena with giants Kenya Pipeline failing to qualify to next year’s Africa Club Championship for the first time in over ten years while Kenya Commercial Bank made a comeback after six years hiatus.

Kenya Prisons under the stewardship of Joseph Barasa, after playing  second fiddle to their local arch-rivals Kenya Pipeline, finally broke the latter’s five-year dominance to clinch the women’s league title for the 7th time, earning them an automatic ticket to the continental showpiece.

The wardresses thumped Pipeline by straight sets in the final match of the three-day play-offs with the Oilers relinquishing their title as well as missing a place in the next year’s Africa Club Championships set for Egypt.

It was a terrible outing for Pipeline as they had to settle for third place behind KCB who clinched runners up position.

Speaking to the Citizen Digital after bagging the title, Barasa termed the win as  “massive” , adding that he’s now  shifting  focus  to the continental assignment.

“We are going to take a short break and then get back to Kasarani to start our preparations because now our focus is to win our sixth Africa title. I think I have the best squad in recent times,” an upbeat Barasa noted.

The five-time African champions finished fourth in this year’s Africa Club Championship held in Egypt falling to Pipeline in the third place play-off game.

At the same time, Prisons had two of their players feted with ever-green Mercy Moim bagging the Most Valuable Player award as Joy Luseneka scooped the best setter award. Edith Wisah was also voted the best blocker.

Meanwhile, KCB head coach David Kinga is eyeing a good run next year after masterminding one of the most remarkable comebacks in Kenyan volleyball history to storm through to Africa Club Championship.

The bankers thumped Pipeline 3-2 and Bungoma County 3-0 to end the 2018 season with 5 points behind Kenya Prisons. The bankers return to the continental scene after a 6-year absence.

“We are back and I am very happy because last year we were close to finishing in the top two but we did not make it. My target next year is to win the league but before that we will be out to announce our return in Africa,” said Kinga.

Elsewhere, General Service Unit (GSU) successfully retained the men’s league gong winning it for the 13th time after thrashing Kenya Prisons by straight sets in the final play-off match.