Volleyball: Cheptil renew rivalry with Nairobi’s Soweto Academy

Kwanthanze’s Susan Chepchumba (centre) against Silvia Jepchirchir (left) and Margaret Chepkemboii of Cheptil. [File]

There will be no love lost when familiar foes Cheptil and Soweto Academy lock horns in their opening match of the 2019 Secondary Schools national Term Two games today, at Kisumu Polytechnic.

It will be payback time as Rift Valley Region volleyball champions Cheptil seek to avenge last year’s semis loss to the Nairobi side.

The duo face off in Group A that has been termed the tournament’s ‘group of death’. The winner of today’s clash will increase their chances of reaching the knockout stage.

Cheptil captain Bendine Jepng’etich exuded confidence saying they had good preparations and are ready for the matches.

“We know it will be tough especially in the preliminaries because our group has very experienced teams. Even so, I believe we have prepared well and we are targeting a win in our opening match,” Jepng’etich said.

Her Soweto equal Penina Barasa said they are looking to start their campaign positively.

“We want a good start; winning the opening match always boosts confidence in a team and we hope to start well for us to increase our chances of qualifying for the semis.”

In another Group A match, home girls St Anne’s Sega will announce their return to the national games with a clash against last year’s fourth-place finishers Bishop Sulumeti from Western.

Defending champions Kwanthanze from Eastern will put their title on the line in Group A.

They are expected to have an easy day out when they take on North Eastern champions Makaror in the opener.

Makaror will be looking to improve on last year’s eighth-place finish. Coast girls St John’s Kaloleni take on Passenga in another Group B tie.