East Africa Secondary School games: Champs Kwanthanze, Kapkenyeloi win

Kwanthanze girls volleyball team Kwanthanze girls' volleyball team. [Elizabeth Mburugu, Standard]

Champs Kwanthanze, Kapkenyeloi win openers

Regional champions Kwanthanze and Kapkonyolei chalked up first victories in the girls’ and boys’ volleyball contest as this year’s Brookside East Africa Secondary School games entered day two in Musanze, Rwanda.

Kwanthanze rallied from behind to down homeside St.Alloys 3-2 in ta thrilling Group A match.

The Kenyan champions triumphed 17-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-18 and 15-8 to register their second win against the Rwandans who they beat 3-1 in last year’s final.

Kwanthanze skipper Gladys Ekaru was full of praise for her teammates for their courageous show urging them to carry the same fighting spirit to the next game.

“We were not at our best in the first set, but we managed to compose ourselves and fought hard for the victory. First matches are always a hard nut to crack but we hope to be better in our next match,” Ekaru said.

The home girls, not ready to go down to their guests for a second time, started off on a high amid cheers from their supporters to take the first set.

Kwanthanze, who are eying a fourth trophy, came back stronger in the second set backed by Kenyan supporters to restore parity. St. Alloys took a 2-1 lead but were unable to kill off the game as the Kenyan girls took the fourth set to set the stage for a tiebreaker with the guests cruising to victory 15-8.

Kwanthanze will today play IPRC Kigali in their second match where a win will seal their place in the last four of the competition with one match to spare.

St. Alloys will take on Kinawa Mugongo of Uganda looking to their campaign back on track.

Debutantes Kapkonyolei announced their arrival on the regional scene with an emphatic 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-13) win over Ugandan side Wagwa in their Group A encounter.

Kapkonyolei had the best possible start at their maiden show at the games as they comfortably put the Ugandan side to the sword. 

Kapkonyolei coach Richard Soi, who is not new to the games having led AIC Kosirai to win the 2016 title, said he wants to win his second title with the boys.

“We are here to compete for the title and this win has given as the confidence we need to challenge the big boys,” Soi said.

The Kenyans take  College Christ Roi in their second match today and a win will increase their chances of reaching the last four.

In netball, Kenyan side Nyakach Girls went down 40-48 to GS Gahini of Rwanda in their Group A opener as champions St Mary’s Kitende of Uganda got their title defence underway with a 41-37 win over compatriots Luyanzi College. [By Elizabeth Mburugu]