WHEN PRISON GATES WERE FLUNG OPEN: Kenya’s volleyball team pays for poor reception and blunt attack

Valentine Jepkoech (12) and her team-mate Farida Efumbi (6) of KCB volleyball team attempts to block a spike from Edith Wisan (right) of Prisons volleyball during a ladies volleyball match as the Kenya Volleyball Federation National play-offs came to an end at the KPA Makande Gym, November 29, 2015. KCB won 3-2. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

Kenya Prisons took to the court as favourites against El Shams of Egypt in their Africa Women Volleyball Club match, but were humbled 3-1.

Competition at the event in Tunis, Tunisia was expected to be stiff. Participating teams knew the kind of opposition they would face. Tough and stiff. During such tournaments, there is little room for error, non at all.

The Kenyans had won their first two matches in straight sets. They had little trouble dismissing Cameroon’s Injis and when they faced Jos South Rocks of Nigeria, it was business as usual for the five-time champions. They also won convincingly.

So, everyone (other than El Shams, of course), expected the Kenyans to make light work of their Egyptian opponents in that group D clash on Monday.

Feeling cornered and perhaps knowing their only way out was to go past the Kenyans, it was El Shams, who took advantage of the situation to win (25-18, 25-11, 19-25, 25-22).

In retrospect, Prisons’ head coach David Lung’aho blamed poor reception and blunt attack for his side’s costly loss.

The loss saw Prisons, who were due to face Ndelle of Gabon in their last and decisive preliminary match last night, drop to second place in the group with six points, three behind Elshams, who have already qualified for the quarter finals.

Although Lung’aho continued having faith in youngsters after he fielded the trio of Ann Lowem, Lillian Leilei and Yvonne Wavinya, the celebrated tactician said weak reception, poor attack and feeble defence in the opening two sets gifted the Egyptians easy points.

“We played very well, but made a few mistakes in attack and reception in the the first two sets. But it was a good experience for the young girls (Ann Lowem, Lillian Leilei and Yvonne Wavinya), who got another opportunity to play again,” Lung’aho told Feverpitch on phone from Tunisia.

“We also failed to get more points from our defence, but we are still determined to qualify for the quarters after the Ndelle Energie match.”

Malkia Strikers libero Elizabeth Wanyama also shared in her coach’s sentiments.

“We played our hearts out, but a few mistakes cost us. I think we just had a bad day in office, but we have a chance to bounce back against Ndelle,” said Wanyama.

Meanwhile, Kenya Pipeline, who have already booked their quarter final berth after winning their first two matches against Ghana Police and GS Petroliers of Algeria, were due to play FAP of Cameroon in their final Group C encounter last night.

Other three teams that have qualified for the quarters include defending champions and record holders Al Ahly and El Shams (both from Egypt) and hosts Carthage.