Ulinzi men’s powerful surge

By Oscar pilipili

Ulinzi men’s team registered two successive victories to advance to quarter-finals in ongoing Amaco International Volleyball Tournament at Eldoret Polytechnic.

The military men overcame Forest Rangers 3-2 (25-20, 18-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-11) in in five setter thriller to record their first win in Pool D.

Ulinzi would then extended their win-loss record in the tournament to 2-0 following 3-0 (27-25, 25-20, 25-16)against Kenya Airways in the next match to advance in the men’s category of the event that has attracted 20 teams.

National champions Kenya Prisons started off their campaign with flying colours after they beat Prisons Mombasa in straight sets of 25-18, 25-17, 26-24 in a match of the Pool A yesterday.

Prisons registered their second victory after they overcame Sony Sugar in straight sets of 25-15, 25-21, 25-10 and take full command of the group.

Laboured victory

Oserian, playing under Pool A secured a labored 3-2 (26-24, 23-25, 26-24, 23-25, 15-11) victory against Stima Mombasa in a preliminary match to remain on course to qualify for quarters.

School team Lukhokho found the going tough in the tournament after they lost all their opening two matches in the tournament that is sponsored by Africa Merchant Assurance Company (Amaco).

Lukhokho could only manage 20 points against Blue Triangle’s 75 in a match that they lost 5-25, 8-25, 7-25.

The school boys had earlier lost 0-3 (25-9, 25-19, 25-18) against Strathmore University in a Pool D encounter during the tournament that has attracted 47 teams, 20 for men and 27 in women’s category.

The tournament that started off on competitive note saw African and national women’s champions dismiss school girls of Malava in straight sets of 25-15, 25-11, 25-12 in their opening match Pool A match.

Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) women’s team also won their first match after they defeated Rift Valley Technical Training Institute 3-0 (25-4, 25-4, 25-7 in their opening preliminary match.

Double victory

Kenya Pipeline recorded double victory after they won their first two matches during the event that was graced by four legislators.

Pipeline dismissed school team Mautuma 3-0 sets (25-8, 25-4, 25-7 and went ahead to overcome Kamagut in straight sets of 25-5, 25-4 to advance to the pre-quarter finals.

Kwanthanze High put up an impressive show to see off Kenyatta University 3-1 (24-26, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23) to register their first victory of the tournament.

Most schools are using the tournament to gauge their strength ahead of Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association National Championships scheduled for August.

The tournament attracted a huge crowd and this is attributed to road show that was organized by Kenya Volleyball Federation and Amaco in the streets of Eldoret.

The Amaco tournament is running alongside a beach competition at the same venue.

The aim of the beach show is to sensitize Kenyans and players as well about the sand sport that is being described as the next big thing in volleyball.