Kwanthanze aim to bag fourth East Africa trophy: Ekaru determined to sign off with her head held high

KSSSA 2018 National Volleyball Champions Kwathanze High School during National Term Two games at The Hill School on Saturday July 28, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kwanthanze aim to have a touch on fourth regional title

Kenyans will be chasing East African trophy even as they face stiff competition from hosts Rwanda.

Dejection, heartbreak and inconsolable tears told the story of a girl who never wanted to fail but had been hit where it hurt most.

That was 2016 when Kwanthanze lost to Soweto Academy in the girls' volleyball final in the now defunct Metropolitan Region and their hopes of playing at the national and East Africa games were shattered.

One girl caught the eyes of many volleyball enthusiasts at the Nyayo Indoor Arena as she burst into tears and wept inconsolably.  

That was Gladys Ekaru, then a Form Two student, who was hopeful of making her national and regional debut but her dreams were put on hold in such a cruel fashion.

One year later, she bounced back stronger and with a leadership role as the team’s captain. Perhaps it was her hunger to excel that earned her the leader's armband.

Determined not to fail again, Ekaru anchored her side to both the 2017 national and East Africa titles.

They did it in style as they went unbeaten from the Zonal Level to the East Africa final, only dropping one set in their 3-1 (23-25, 25-11, 25-19, 25-14) win over St Alloys of Rwanda.

Now in her final year, Ekaru says her main objective is to win her second East Africa title and a fourth for the school.

“We all want to successfully defend our title. Even so, victory in Rwanda is more important to me because this is my last chance to win a school's trophy. I want to leave with my head held high even as I switch to the senior level,” Ekaru said.

Ekaru, who led Kwanthanze to a successful national title defence, added her secret to success is motivating her teammates.

“I motivate everyone even when they have made a mistake in a set or match. I don’t reprove of anyone because we are a team and need one another’s contribution to excel. I only encourage everyone to play their A game for us to emerge victorious,” She added.

Kwanthanze serve off their campaign in Group A alongside last year’s finalists and home girls St Alloys and IPRC Kigali and Kinawa Mugongo from Uganda.

Cheptil, who won bronze in Gulu, Uganda last year are in Group B together with compatriots Soweto, 2015 winners GS Indagaburezi of Rwanda and Uganda’s Trust High.

Kwanthanze coach Justine Kigwari remained optimistic saying they are ready for the challenge.

“We are in a very tough group and we must fight hard for a place in the semi-finals."