GSU renew rivalry against Prisons in league decider

Kenya Volleyball League defending champions General Service Unit (GSU) renew their rivalry with former champions Prisons Kenya in a deciding match as the national playoffs end this afternoon at the Makande Indoor Gymnasium, Mombasa.

Both teams remain unbeaten in the playoffs after registering their second victories yesterday.

The two sides have also automatically qualified to represent the country in the Africa Club Championship by the virtue of making it to the final and deciding match.

The champions had to come from a set down to edge out Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 3-1 (16-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-18) in the entertaining match.

Coached by Gideon Tarus, the champions took advantage of their opponents poor service to easily win the subsequent sets after losing the opening set.

Captain Simon Kipkorir and Cornelius Rotich were the thorn in the flesh of the Dockers despite the efforts of captain Sammy Ngeny and Elijah Bosire for the Mombasa-based side.

In another match former champions Prisons Kenya had to apply all the tricks in the book to silence Kenya Defence Force 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 22-25, 26-24) in their second match of the playoffs.

The Ruiru-based wardens who had beaten KPA 3-1 (17-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-23) in their opening match on Friday needed yesterday’s win to enhance their chances of lifting the trophy they lost to GSU in 2019.

KDF’s second defeat put them in an awkward position as they take on KPA today in their last match of the playoffs.

KDF should blame themselves after they surrendered a 2-0 lead in their first match against champions GSU to lose 3-2 (22-25,24-26,25-19,25-14, 15-5).

Prisons coach David Lung’ago was a happy man after the win against the  hard-hitting KDF side who paraded a youthful side.

Prison’s Captain Hudson Wanyama, experienced Michael Chemos and Roggers Kipkirui did not give the Elisha Aliwa-coached side time to breath as they bombarded them with powerful spikes.

KDF’s trio of captain Timothy Kipyego, Agrrey Kimeli and Michael Kiprono produced a glimpse of unique tactics which kept their opponents on their toes throughout the tension-filled but thrilling encounter.

KPA and KDF clash in their last match to fight for the third and fourth positions.

In the women matches, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) remained title favourites after they hit Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in straight three sets.

KCB who invaded Prisons Kenya for quality players did not disappoint after they hit DCI 3-0 (25-13, 25-13 25-16) to inch closer to the title.

The bankers coached by Japheth Munala and Technical Director Paul Bitok face champions Prisons Kenya today in a must win match to be crowned champions.