Fallen queens to reclaim lost glory: Lugulu Girls out to salvage their regional pride

Lugulu Girls' Sarah Sembele, left, from Nzoia region releases hard spike as Kwathanze's Jane Mumbai, centre, and Monica Katili try to block during the 5th Airtel Rising Stars at Machakos Boys School on Wednesday, July 28, 2015. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO.

Former national girls’ volleyball champions Lugulu of Nzoia Region will be out to salvage their pride at this year’s Kenya Secondary Schools Term Two B national games set for next week in Kisumu. The 22-time title holders will be seeking to end a six years trophy drought that they have experienced since winning their last national gong in 2009.

Lugulu booked their ticket to the nationals after retaining their Nzoia Region crown with a resounding 3-0 (25-17 25-19 25-13) conquest over bitter rivals Mukumu Girls of Kakamega County. Lugulu tactician Anthony Bunyasi told Feverpitch that their main objective this year is to play well and win the national title as well as the East Africa.

“My girls are yearning to restore their status as champions. We have failed for the past six years but I believe that they are now ready to end the long wait. We are also eying the East Africa crown and the national trophy will be a motivation going to the regional games,” Bunyasi said.

Bunyasi added that his squad has what it takes to challenge for the crown citing that his players are not only talented but have the mental strength required to become champions.

“It takes more than talent and skills to play and register positive results. Last year, I had a good squad and we finished third.  We have built on that and also worked on their mental strength and I am confident they will improve and lift the trophy,” he concluded. They are in pool B together with Tetu Girls of Aberdare Region who they beat 3-0 (25-15 25-14 25-14) in the 2015 third place playoffs to settle for bronze and also book their ticket to the East Africa games. Others in the pool are Lake Champions Sega who will be banking on home advantage to outshine their guests as well as Highlands champion Gankanga.

Pool A of the girls contest has national queens AIC Kosirai of Mau Region who will be up against Metropolitan winners Soweto, Coastal conquerors St Johns Kaloleni and Northern Region representatives.

In the men’s battle defending champions Malava Boys of Nzoia are in pool B together with perennial rivals Hospital Hill of Metropolitan. The group which has been termed as the pool of death also has former national champions Cheptil of Mau and Northern representatives.

Fireworks are expected in this group as last year’s top three schools Malava, Hospital Hill and Cheptil in that order battle for survival as only the best two in the pool will enhance their chances of qualifying for East Africa games. Pool A has Chianda of Lake, Waa (Coast), Kanyuobora (Highlands) and Tetu.