Kenya Pipeline upset African champions KCB Bank in Mombasa

Kenya Pipeline’s Sinaida Yvonne (centre) and Winnie Odhiambo in past match against Lorine Chebet of Kenya Prison. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Six time African women's volleyball club champions Kenyan Pipeline proved to be among the title contenders after they stunned African queens KCB as the national fourth leg served off at the Makande Indoor Gymnasium in Mombasa yesterday.

Pipeline under coach Paul Gitau did not disappoint and seemed well prepared for the match which they won 3-1 (25-23, 20-25, 25-20, 25-20).

Parading International players, both teams had a lot to offer in the four set thriller. 

The win put Pipeline in a better position to wrestle the title from Kenya Prisons who skipped the Mombasa leg. 

Coach Gitau is aiming to lead his charges to the playoffs and win the title. 

Under the tutelage of Japheth Munala, the bankers got off well in the first set before Pipeline took control to win the set. 

In the second set, the reigning African women's club champions did not give their opponents a chance to breath as they crossed the ball over the net at will to dismantle the pipeline's playing pattern. 

Pipeline who won bronze at the 2019 women's African volleyball clubs championship regrouped to win the third and fourth sets as their opponents watched in disbelief.

Captain Edith Wisa, Mercy Moim and Phosca Kasisi were outstanding for the bankers while Pipeline heavily relied on middle blocker Triza Atuka and outside hitter and experienced Naomi Too. 

Three more matches were not played after Kenya Prisons, Nairobi Prisons, Kenya Army and Vihiga failed to turn up. 

Nairobi Prisons were to play Director of Criminal Investigation while Kenya Prisons were scheduled to play Kenya Army. Kenya Defence Force were to play Vihiga.