Prisons teams relish Aphia Plus Two tournament titles

By OSCAR PILIPILI

Nairobi,Kenya:Who will stop Kenya Prisons volleyball teams?

This was the question on lips of volleyball enthusiasts after Prisons men and women’s teams lifted both titles during Aphia Plus Two tournament in Nyeri.

The teams won respective final matches to be crowned champions during the event that was held at Dedan Kimathi Ground in Nyeri last Sunday.

In men’s category Prisons who are men’s national league champions defeated General Service Unit (GSU) 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25) in the final .

In women’s final, Prisons were forced to work hard before beating traditional rivals Pipeline 3-2 (18-25, 25-21, 14-25, 25-23, 18-16) in a five-setter thriller that lasted one hour 50 minutes yesterday.

FIRST TIME

This was the first time the two teams were meeting since CAVB African Clubs Championships held in Madagascar last April.

In the men’s final, Prisons started the match with purpose and gained two quick points to take 3-1 lead at opening stage of the match.

A net serve by Daniel Kiptoo handed GSU their second points of the opening set to narrow the gap to 3-2 during the final that was graced by Webuye West legislator Hon Dan Wanyama.

The opening set was very tight with less than three points separating the bigwigs of local volleyball.

Prisons however maintained an edge over the paramilitary men to bag the set 25-22.

Like the first set, the second set started on high note with each team fighting to gain quick points and take command of the proceedings.

BETTER SIDE

But Prisons was the better side as they raced from 19-15 lead to win 25-15 and take two sets advantage.

Inspired by two sets lead, Prisons upped their game in the third set with intention of wrapping up the match in the third set.

They gained successive points to open a seven points gap and at 22-15 it was not secret that the warders were headed for straight victory.

GSU narrowed the gap to 24-19 and an attack by Benard Musumba cut Prisons lead to four points at 24-20. GSU charge forced Prisons coach Gideon Chenje to call for time out to re-organise his forces.

Prisons would then loss three game points but a fast attack by Captain Ibrahim Oduor handed the team the much-needed game point at 25-22.

In beach volleyball, Prisons Mombasa team of Philip Chemor and Jimmy Ngala beat Kenya Airways pair of E Bosire and J Mwaniki 2-1 (21-17, 21-18, 18-14) to lift the trophy and Sh7000 cash award donated by KVF chairman Waaithaka Kioni and assistant secretary Ben Juma.

The women’s final between Prisons duo of Elizabeth Nafula and Sally Wanjala and Nairobi Waters’ Naomi Too and Gaudencia Makokha was called off due to bad weather.

KVF beach volleyball commission member Ben Juma said the match will be re-played during the third round of the national league to be staged in Eldoret in June.