Prisons clinch title to qualify for FIVB World Clubs Championships

BY  Oscar Pilipili

Nairobi,Kenya; Prisons lift continental title to qualify for FIVB World Clubs Championships for a fifth time

Kenya Prisons asserted their position as continental queens after they clinched their fifth title in CAVB African Clubs Championships in Antanarivo, Madagascar.

Prisons beat stubborn Petroliers of Algeria in a five-set final 3-2 (25-21, 20-25, 25-19, 20-25, 15-6) in front of 3,500 spectators at Palais des Sport in Antananarivo, Madagascar on Friday night.

The victory saw Prisons book fourth consecutive FIVB Club World Championship ticket after 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012. They will appear again in the elite event in Switzerland October 8-13, 2013. 

Despite missing experienced and reliable antenna player Lydia Maiyo, who is on maternity leave, Prisons attackers, led by inspirational Bracksides Khadambi fought gallantly to penetrate the defence of Petroliers team.

Khadambi was literally head and shoulders above the rest of the players, as she played a great role in whole competition and in the final.

Khadambi, who is captain of National team, was voted the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Prisons added to their titles won in 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012 with a final victory over Algerian side who, despite their obvious talent, had no answer to opponents playing at the top of their game.

Both Prisons and Petroliers finished the Women’s African Club Championship with five victories and one defeat. Petroliers started early using the spike service of Fatma Okazi and Zohra Ben Salim to lead 8-6 at the first technical time out after a group of disciplined attacks.

Prisons improved their blocking through Bracksides Khadambi and Diana Khisa to come nearer till they lead for the first time 15-14 before Petroliers fought hard in defense to regain the lead 16-15 at second time out.

The set went point by point there after till 20-20 when Prisons used the service and defense mistakes done by the Algerian team as well as the sharp spikes from Everlyne Makuto to win 25-21.

The second set featured tough start through the big fight in defense from both teams but Petroliers used their tight defense to lead 8-6 at the first technical time out.

Safia Boukhima and Zohra Bensalem used good setting to send their razor-sharp spikes to score the crucial points giving their team a wide lead 16-9 at second time out. Prisons fought bravely to decrease the point deficit to 20-18. Again due to the frequent reception and digging mistakes Petroliers won the set 25-20.

Prisons regained their concentration in service and defense to lead in the second set 8-6 at the first time out.

Makuto and Khadambi penetrated the Algerian defence regularly to lead 16-11. Setter Jane Wacu conducted her team with the skillful setting to win the set 25-19.

The fourth set showed early advance for Prisons who led 8-6 until Algerian setter Fatma Oukazi started her job to conduct Petroliers with the aid of Boukhima and Bensalem to win the set 25-19 and extend the match to tiebreak.   

The tiebreak showed early compatibility till 2-2 when the Algerian team committed several mistakes to allow the Kenyan for a wide lead till they won the tiebreak widely 15-6.