Munala upbeat as KCB shifts focus to Kenya Volleyball Federation League second leg

Deborah Jesang and Pauline Jemutai jump high to block Kenya Prisons attack during the semi-final clash of the Mutahi Kahiga Volleyball Tournament at Kamukunji Grounds on November 3, 2024. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

KCB Women's Volleyball team head coach Japheth Munala has said his team will now focus on the second leg of the 2024/2025 Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) league after mixed results at the Governor Mutahi Kahiga tourney in Nyeri County.

The national defending champions had a disappointing semi-final clash after losing 0-3 (20-25, 13-25, 22-25) to Kenya Prisons at the Kahiga event that was attended by senior teams (both men and women) as well as self-supporting teams.

"KCB is currently undergoing restructuring following the departures of some top talent. This tournament is a launchpad for the next rounds of the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) league. We have assessed where we got it wrong, so we will go back to the drawing board, regroup and come back stronger," said coach Japheth Munala.

KCB did not participate in the first round of the national league at the same venue since their opponents, Deaf Volleyball, did not honor the match. The bankers will therefore compete in the second leg of the league on November 22, 2024 in Nairobi.

Setter Esther Mutinda is sidelined from the squad due to personal reasons while Mariam Musa and Elizabeth Lemosiany both joined rivals Kenya Pipeline. Munala will be banking on Malyne Terry from Kwanthanze Secondary School to bolster his side in the next league fixtures.

Malkia Striker's Edith Wisa, who picked up a knee injury, did not feature for the bankers in yesterday's fixtures. She was briefly involved in today's semi-final encounter against Kenya Prisons. She hopes she will be ready for the upcoming competitions.

She said: "I am disappointed because I really wanted to play in this tournament but I could not compete as I had anticipated. I will go back to training to work hard for the upcoming matches. I want to be available for selection."

The team will also feature in the Kipchumba Karori Eldoret International Volleyball Tournament slated for December 12 -15, 2024 at the Eldoret National Polytechnic.