Best in volley unveiled as Pipeline, Prisons dominate league play-offs in Mombasa

Kenya Pipeline Company volleyballs (in white jerseys) greet Kenya Prisons volleyball team (in yellow jerseys) before the start of their final Kenya Volleyball federation playoffs match at the KPA Makande GYM, Sunday November 30, 2014. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

Several players were feted as the 2014 volleyball league ended on Sunday at the Kenya Ports Authority's Makande Welfare Center, in Mombasa. The hunt was on for the new champions that will fly high the country's flag in the 2015 African Club Championships.

Kenya Prisons upset the immediate former champions General Service Unit (GSU) 3-1 sets of 16-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-16 while three time African champions Prisons surrendered the women's title to Kenya Pipeline after a 3-0 loss of 25-22, 25-19, 25-17. The two new champions showed resurgence with youthful and talented players as they target to dominate next year's continental championships.

Players attached to Kenya Pipeline (women) and Kenya Prisons (men), scooped majority of the awards on offer at the inaugural Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) awards gala night held at the Jambo Village in Mombasa on Sunday evening. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards went to Esther Wangeci (Pipeline) and Mike Chemos (Prisons) for the women's and men's categories.

"This is the best moment of my career, and I am happy the award arrived on my 24th birthday," said a smiling Wangeci, who added that she would work even harder and cement her position in the national team.

Meanwhile Janet Wanja, Elizabeth Wanyama, Aggripina Kundu, Noel Murambi and Ruth Jepngetich claimed the best setter, receiver, libero, attacker and blocker awards respectively.

The men's awards were won by David Thuita (best setter), Peter Kibati (libero) and Saul Wafula (blocker).

At the same function, Kenya Pipeline, Prisons and Kenya Commercial Bank were each feted for finishing the women league in the top three positions, while, Prisons, General Service Unit (GSU) and Kenya Defence Forces shared the podium positions in the men's league. The league winners received Sh100,000 each.

Chief guest Dan Wanyama, who is the Member of Parliament for Webuye East, said plans were in the pipeline to implement the Sports lottery, which has a budget set aside by the Government to fund sports federations.

Kenya Volleyball Federation Chairman Waithaka Kioni said they have agreed a deal with a prospective sponsor to bankroll the league starting next season.