Prisons stun Pipeline to book semis slot

Kenya Prisons centre attacker Brackcides Agala in action against Kenya Pipeline during the Africa Clubs Championships in Tunisia on April 13, 2017. Prisons won the match 3-2. [CAVB]

“We have never lost to Kenya Pipeline in the club championships be it in quarters, semis or finals.

“They only beat us in the local league. So, we hope to continue with that good run against them today (yesterday),” those were the words of Kenya Prisons coach David Lung’aho ahead of yesterday’s African Women’s Volleyball Club Championship quarterfinal against Kenya Pipeline.

And true to Lung’aho’s words, the wardresses beat all odds to stun pre-tournament favourites Pipeline 3-2 (13-25, 28-26,25-19, 23-25,15-13) in a thrilling five set encounter at Mzali Hall, in Monistar, Tunisia, yesterday.

“I am a happy man today because we have won against Kenya Pipeline.

“We played a very tough team and displayed what the Kenyan volleyball is made of. I think the match could have gone either way, but we were better off in the fifth set.

“Pipeline led all through in the fifth set only for us to recover in the last minute,” a delighted Lunga’aho told The Standard Sports from Tunisia.

“I would like to appreciate my players so much for the efforts they put in; they fought hard, particularly Braxcides Agala and Jane Wacu. We were very good in our services and managed to neutralise their attacks. I am happy with the performance.”

Just like the 2013 quarter-final in Madagascar, Prisons who came into the quarter-final on the backdrop of a 3-1 defeat to champions Al Ahly of Egypt in their opening Group B match and three national league losses to Pipeline, rallied from behind to overcome the seven time champions in an all Kenyan affair.

Pipeline started off the brighter side with captain Trizah Atuka and her assistant Noel Murambi capitalising on their rivals’ poor reception to inspire Japheth Munala’s side to a 25-13 first set victory.

But like a wounded lion, Prisons came back into the second set a rejuvenated outfit to trail by a point into the first technical time out.

Sensing danger, Lunga’ho made a tactical change by bringing on experienced outside hitter Evelyne Makuto for youthful Yvonne Wavinya.

The substitution paid off as they reduced the lead to a point until they overturned the score to win the second set 28-26.

With experience at his disposal, Lunga’ho managed to contain a youthful Pipeline side in the third set that saw them open a 12 point lead at one point.

The five time champions never looked back as they went on to claim the set 25-19.

It was a see-saw battle in the fourth set with both sides exchanging leads, but it was Pipeline who finally ran away with the set 23-25 to send the game into a tie-breaker.

However, it was flamboyant setter Jane Wacu, who had courted a transfer controversy involving the two rivals before the continental tournament, that came back to haunt Pipeline with a weak strike in the fifth set.

Prisons will clash with the winners between Tunisian sides Sfexien and Carthage in the semifinals. The two North African clubs were due to play last evening.

Meanwhile, Kenya beach volleyball men and women teams have travelled to Uganda for this weekend’s Senior Africa Cup Nation Qualifiers.

The men team is comprised of Ibrahim Oduor and James Mwaniki while Gaudencia Makokha and Jacinta Mueni will feature in the women’s category.