Chris Owalla of Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) reacts in their match against General Service Unit (GSU) at Kasarani. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]
After two years of being overshadowed, volleyball giants General Service Unit (GSU) are back! Back at the top where they believe they belong.
The paramilitary side yesterday beat Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 2-1 to recapture the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Men's National League gong that they had lost to Kenya Prisons in 2023 in a final match at Kasarani Indoor Arena.
GSU recovered from a game two 3-1 defeat to the Dockers to win in straight sets to the delight of their diehard fans, who burst into song and dance to celebrate their conquest after seasons of heartbreak and pain.
GSU had made their intentions to restore their lost glory from the start of the season, winning 13 out of their 14 regular-season games.
In the quarter-finals and semi-finals play-offs, they registered a 2-0 sweep in the best-of-three contest against Kenya Airport Police Unit (KAPU) and Equity Bank, respectively.
GSU coach Gideon Tarus, in an earlier interview, had declared that they were going to settle for nothing less than the trophy.
"We must win the trophy this season, it has been two years and we can't wait any longer than that. We have worked hard and continue doing so until we achieve our objectives," Tarus said.
And win they did by beating the only side that had defeated them in the regular season. Against KPA, they won game one in straight sets of 25-15, 25-22 and 30-28 to take a 1-0 lead going into the second game.
However, KPA bounced back to win game two 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-16, 25-19) to delay their coronation. Keen to ensure that they don't miss the coveted trophy for a third year in a row, GSU returned stronger and more determined, knowing well that the outcome of the game could make or break their dreams.
GSU had everything going for them, from a perfectly working game plan to a tactician who knew what to do and when to do it, and players who were hungry for victory.
It was clear from the first onset that they were out to kill game at the earliest time possible. They minimised errors and made meaningful changes when necessary, and in turn, rewarded themselves with the title.
KPA showed resistance, but the officers were on top of the game to win the first set 25-19. The dockers improved in the second, but they were once again overpowered and forced to trail 2-0 after GSU bagged the set 25-21.
KPA's hopes of recovering, let alone winning their maiden league trophy, were dashed after GSU fought on to win the third set 25-22 and restore their glory.