Eyes on the ball as title race heads to Mombasa

Postbank Kenya's Hilda Jepkosgei in action against Carol Sirengo of DCI in a league action. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Hunt for the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) National League title will continue today,Thursday as the last four men and women's team battle for final slots at Makande Hall, Mombasa.

Reigning champions Kenya Prisons and KCB Bank will leave nothing to chance when they face off with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Kenya Pipeline in the men and women's semi-final play-offs respectively.

The duo, who are looking to extend their reign for three years in a row, must overcome their opponents to remain on course to retaining their titles.

However, the warders face an uphill task against the dockers who are not only in impeccable form, but will also have the home advantage.

The two sides were separated by one point on the table after winning 12 and losing two in the regular season. Kenya Prisons finished second with 35 points while KPA were third with 34.

KPA will capitalise on home support to avenge their 3-1(25-20, 24-26, 25-23, 25-23) regular season first leg defeat to the Kenya Prisons.

In the other men's semis clash, former champions the General Service Unit (GSU) will lock horns with Equity Bank. GSU, who are seeking to recapture the title they lost to Kenya Prisons in 2023, will go all out against Equity who showed their grit by coming from a game down to beat Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) 2-1 to qualify for the semis.

Equity go into the match on the back of their thrilling show against KDF and more equipped coach Patrick Owino who just completed his FIVB Level Three coaching course.

Owino, who is determined to lead his charges to their first final, must get it right from the whistle to stand a chance against the paramilitary side which is keen to restore its fading glory.

GSU on the other hand must fire from all cylinders to avoid suffering the same fate as their KDF compatriots who had control after securing a 1-0 lead on day one of the quarter-finals but allowed the bankers to make a comeback in the second match.

In the women's contest, a showdown is looming between holders KCB and Kenya Pipeline who are looking to end their two-year trophy drought.

With one set to drop to the third-place play-offs, there will be no room for mistakes from either side.