Champs Kenya Pipeline off to a flying start in Kampala tourney

Carolyne Sirengo (right) attack is blocked by Mirian Sikoiyo of Kenya Pipeline during the KVF National Women's League at Nyayo National stadium on January 26,2025.[Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Kenya Pipeline launched the Confederation of Africa Volleyball (CAVB) Zone V Women's Club Championship title defence with a straight sets win against home girls Ndejje University Elites at the Lugogo Indoor Arena in Kampala, Uganda.

Experience came into play as the Kenyans outsmarted their hosts in their opening Group A match to make their intentions to retain their title known.

Backed by home advantage, Ndejje would show resilience at the beginning of each set but would fizzle out as the match proceeded to allow Kenyans carry the day.

Pipeline coach Geoffrey Omondi who admitted that the competition is unchartered waters for him since its his first time emphasised that his approach is a match at a time.

"I can't say anything about our opponents because I know nothing about, this is my first time and I intend to approach all matches with the seriousness they deserve. We want to retain the title but we are also using these matches as buildup for the 2025 Women's African Volleyball Club Championship," Omondi said.

Ndejje seemed to have settled very well into the game leading by a point or two in the initial minutes of the first set.

However, the Oilers proved that they are indeed the better side after breaking to take the first set 25-16. Despite not being able to snatch a set, Ndejje improved to win the second set 25-20, they gave Pipeline a run for their money in the set but succumbed to pressure as their guests sealed it 25-23.

In another women's Group A match, Ugandan league champions KCB-Nkumba made light work of Tanzania Prisons Services beating them 3-0 (25-7, 25-11, 25-10 to better their chances of reaching the knockout stage.

At Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) were forced to work harder for victory against stubborn Kenya Forest Services (KFS) in a fourth leg match of the 2024-2025 Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Men's National League season.

While it was expected that the dockers will have it easy with KFS, the latter would prove that they are no pushovers in the five-set thriller they secured the win in sets of 25-19, 21-25, 25-23, 22-25 and 15-9.

In other matches Administration Police of Kenya (APK) beat Prisons Nairobi 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-23) to register their third win of the season.

Kenya Airport Police Unit (KAPU) regained their footing to outclass Kenya Army in straight sets of 25-13, 25-19 and 25-22.

This was KAPU's fourth win of the season even as they look to move up the standings from their current ninth position. A good show in the fourth leg will see them enhance their chances of sealing a play-offs slot.

Mt Kenya Base Yetu who are fighting against relegation suffered their ninth defeat at the hands of Rift Valley Prisons.

The Rift Valley warders showed no mercy to Mt Kenya who are stuck at the bottom with no point beating them 3-0 (25-11, 25-18, 25-14) to stretch their losing streak to nine matches.