Volleyball: Champions Prisons secure two wins in Nakuru leg

Champions Kenya Prisons beat Western Prisons 3-0 in the opening match of the fifth leg of the National Volleyball League cum Challenge Cup Championships that served-off at Afraha Open Grounds in Nakuru on Friday.

In the league matches, despite having six of their players with the national team in Rwanda for the World Cup Zone Five qualification championships, the champions still managed to easily win 25-9, 25-9 and 25-14 with captain Ibrahim Oduor and left attacker Dennis Mokua outstanding in the match that lasted less than 50mins.

Despite the win, Kenya Prisons head coach Gideon Chenje said the league was very competitive. Chenje was without six key players in Nakuru. They included Jairus Kosgey, Rodgers Kipkurui, Hudson Wanyama, Kelvin Maiyo, Mike Chemos and Sila Kipruto.

“Their absence have provided reserve players with an opportunity to play and that has given them confidence as starters in crucial matches,” he told Standard Sports in a post-match interview.

Chenje said the most important thing for now is to finish among the top four teams in the chase for top honours ahead of the national play-offs in Mombasa in November.

In the second match, Kenya Prisons earned a walkover against Vihiga County who failed to travel to Nakuru for the tournament.

In other matches, Nairobi Prisons won 3-0 (25-20, 25-23 and 25-21) against Cooperative Bank in one of the toughest matches that lasted one hour and 39 minutes.

On their part, Nairobi Water saw off Kenya Ports Authority 3-0 (25-13, 25-22 and 25-15).

Western Prisons lost their second consecutive match against Mombasa Prisons who defeated them 3-1 (25-0, 25-18, 12-25 and 25-21) in an evenly contested encounter.

Resilient Mombasa Prisons saw off Cooperative Bank 3-2.

[Ben Ahenda]