Prisons chase sixth continental volleyball title in Tunis

Kenya Prisons are chasing their fifth straight title and sixth in total when they line up against GS Petroliers of Algeria in final match of the CAVB African Women’s Club Championships in Tunis today.

The match is a repeat of the 2013 deciding match that Prisons beat Petroliers 3-2 (25-21, 20-25, 25-19, 20-25, 15-6) in Madagascar to bag their fourth straight title.

Prisons and Algeria’s GS Petroliers qualified to the final spot following their victories in respective semi-final matches in Tunis, Tunisia last Friday. 

Prisons qualified for the fifth straight final after they defeated their rivals Pipeline 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-13) in a match easier than expected lasting 61 minutes.

Lydia Maiyo led Prisons scorers with 14 points, while Esther Wangechi led Pipeline’s scorers with 11.

Petroliers fought more aggressively to beat Carthage 3-1 (19-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-16) in 99 minutes.

GSP played with all the standing stars led by the setter Fatma Okazi, Zohra Ben Salem and Safia Boukhima, where the latter was the match scorers with impressive 19 points followed by Zohra 17.

The match between Prisons and Petroliers is expected to be tough as both teams remain unbeaten in the tournament.

On the other hand, Prisons have dropped two sets and Petroliers four on their way to the final.

Prisons coach David Lung’aho will definitely rely on experience to stop the ambition of the Algerian side that stretched them to five sets in the last final.

Experienced players that Lung’aho will rely on to retain the trophy include Everline Makuto, Mercy Moim and Maiyo who will attack from antenna positions.

Maiyo has quickly fitted into the team after returning to competive volleyball early this year.

The towering player was out of action for more than one year after she took off maternity leave to care for her newborn baby.

Captain Bracksides Agala, Diana Khisa, Dorcas Jepleting and upcoming Edity Wisa are tasked with blocking Petroliers’ talented attackers in Okazi and Zohra from penetrating through the centre position.

Okazi and Zohra are all key members of Algerian national team and have vast experience in international volleyball.

Lung’aho will definitely opt for stylish setter Jane Wacu (pictured left) to set the balls in perfect positions for his hitters to attack Petroliers.

Sally Wanjala, another long-serving player, and youngster Joy Luseneka are on standby just in case Wacu fails to deliver on court. On the other hand Carthage faces Pipeline for the bronze medal.

In the play-off match 5th to 8th places, Shams (Egypt) downed FAP (Cameroon) 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-22), and Sfax beat Injis (Cameroon) 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-20) in two matches fully dominated by the winners.

Now Shams face Sfax for the 5th place, while FAP play Injis in a full Cameroonian clash for the 7th position.