CHAMPS SUFFER CRUSHING DEFEATS: Prisons complete a double over Pipeline as Nairobi Water book play-offs slot

volleyball play-offs Catherine Mevoye (left) and team-mate Ruth Chelagat (right) of Nairobi Water Volleyball team dives to save a dodge from Kenya Pipeline Volleyball team players in a ladies play-offs match at the KPA Makande Gym, November 28, 2015. Kenya Pipeline won 3-0. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

Kenya Volleyball Federation League women’s champions Kenya Pipeline and former men’s champions Prisons Kenya suffered their first defeats at the hands of 2013 winners Prisons and Nairobi Water.

Friday’s victories in Homa Bay saw Nairobi Water extend their stay at the top (24 points) and become the first Men’s team to qualify for the national play-offs slated for November at the Kasarani.

Prisons leapfrogged Kenya Commercial Bank at the top of Women’s table with two legs to go.

The David Lung’aho-trained warders then completed a double over their arch rivals Pipeline beating them 3-1 (22-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-11) to lift the Homa Bay County Government Open Volleyball Tournament on Sunday as their men’s counterpart (Prisons Kenya) bounced back defeat to Nairobi Water to stun Kenya Ports Authority 3-1 in the Cup final.

On Friday, Prisons (women) claimed a straight sets victory of (25-22, 25-21, 25-20) against Pipeline in a match that lasted one hour and three minutes as Nairobi Water booked an early men’s play-off slot after pulling off a shock 3-2 (25-20, 21-25, 14-25, 25-20, 15-11) win over Prisons Kenya.

Prisons benefitted from the experienced quartet of Brackcides Agala, Jane Wacu, Evelyn Makuto and Mercy Moim, who were featuring for the Wardens for the first time this season. With decorated Janet Wanja also missing for Pipeline, Prisons twice strolled to victory in one weekend.

The sweet double win over the champions left Prisons assistant coach Joseph Baraza a happy man, lauding Malkia Strikers quartet for their impressive performance.

“It was one of our best performances this season. The girls played well and performed to our expectations. But I would like to acknowledge the contribution of Moim, Makuto, Agala and Wanja. They were very instrumental. We are looking forward to maintaining the same form,” said Baraza.

But for Pipeline coach Japheth Munala, poor front court defence cost them the matches against Prisons.

“We played well but luck was not on our side. The girls seemed to have lost our front court defence scheme against Prisons,” said Munala who had to reshuffle his squad with Mildred Odwako taking up the libero role after Agrippina Kundu collided with Leonida Kasaya in the league action.

Prior to the crunch match against Pipeline, Prisons had beaten Nairobi Water also by straight sets to take their points tally to 15.

Pipeline trounced Nairobi Water 3-0 in their opening match before bouncing back from Prisons defeat to beat KCB 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-16).

In the Men’s League, champions General Service Unit continued with their winning ways, overcoming Western Prisons and Nairobi Prisons — both by straight sets.

Kenya Ports Authority beat Mt. Kenya University 3-0 (25-14, 25-10, 25-14) to open up the battle for the last play of slot between them and Kenya Defence Forces who silenced Mombasa Prisons 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-17) win.