Mwingi win Nairobi Region volleyball gong

Mwingi Teachers College's Robert Mutati (left) return ball against Bernard Kasyoki and John Mutemi of Kitui TTC during Nairobi Region Teachers Training Colleges ball games at Machakos Training Teachers College on Friday, March 17, 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Mwingi Teachers Training College are the new Nairobi Region Teachers Colleges men volleyball champions. Mwingi put up a spirited fight in the finals to beat last year’s winners Kitui in a tightly contested five-set thriller played yesterday at Machakos.

Determined to win their maiden regional crown and book a ticket to the nationals Mwingi took the first set 25-23. Led by captain Joshua Ngondi they charged on to win the second 25-18, but Kitui were not ready to let their title go without a fight.

They bounced back to take the third 28-26 and the fourth 25-22 forcing the winner to be decided in a tie-breaker. With the title in one hand Mwingi did not hesitate battling to break the tie 15-9 and win the crown.

Ngondi told Feverpitch that the match was tough, but he was delighted they secured victory. “Playing defending champions is not easy because they have a lot at stake. It was a very tough encounter but I glad we fought to the end.”

Mwingi had laboured to a deserved 3-2 (25-21, 21-25, 21-25, 25-20, 15-10) win over International Teaching and Training Centre (ITTC) in the semis. Kitui eased to the finals with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-11) over their hosts.

National men goalball champions Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) beat Machakos 15-13 to retain their regional crown.

KISE women fought to a narrow 9-8 victory to dethrone Machakos and earn their ticket to the nationals.

Janerose Nekesa of Machakos was outstanding but her seven goals effort was not good enough to help her side retain their title.