Kenya Pipeline see off Kenya Prisons to retain KVF crown

The Oilers forced the match to a tiebreaker after bouncing back from a 3-1 loss on Friday to win their second match of the best-of-three series finale in straight sets on Saturday.

With the title at stake, it was Kenya Prisons who drew first blood, with Pamela Masaisai and Anne Lowem spiking in quick succession to hand them a 2-0 lead.

The Wardresses continued their excellent attack, and this time Lorine Chebet was at the centre of two more spikes to hand them a 4-0 lead before Kenya Pipeline pulled one back.

The Oilers later drew level at 9-9 after a series of excellent spikes and blocks, before the Wardresses again stretched their lead to 16-13, prompting Pipeline head coach Geoffrey Omondi to call a timeout.

The reigning champions threatened Prisons' lead after the short break, prompting coach Joseph Barasa to call a timeout, although the Wardresses still led 22-19.

However, the timeout worked in Kenya Pipeline's favour as they drew level at 22-22, prompting a second timeout from Barasa.

Things went from bad to worse for the former champions as they threw away their lead to lose the set 25-22.

The second set began similarly, with Prisons once again in form, mounting excellent attacks to take an early 4-0 lead. Pipeline then took advantage of Prisons' poor reception to claw back and draw level, before the Wardresses again took control, leading 12-8 and forcing coach Omondi to call a timeout.

The short break did little to affect Prisons' momentum, as they stretched their lead to 17-11, prompting another timeout from Pipeline's tactician. This time it worked in their favour, as they fought back to threaten Prisons' lead, prompting Barasa to call his first timeout with the score at 17-14 in Prisons' favour.

The short break worked against them, as Pipeline once again unleashed their arsenal to lead 24-23, forcing Barasa to call Prisons' second timeout. However, the Oilers held their nerve to win the set 25-23.

The third and decisive set saw Kenya Pipeline continue their dominance, with MVP Noel Murambi and veteran outside hitter Leonidah Kasaya leading the charge with brilliant spikes, while youngster Miriam Sokoiyo and veteran Gladys Ekaru manned the net well to rebuff their rivals' attacks, winning 25-22 to take the title.

Head coach Geoffrey Omondi was in awe of his side's performance, having had to come back twice in the first two sets.

"This was a tough match, and we are grateful we won. We adjusted well to their change in tactics, and we finally stunned them despite their strong serving," said Omondi.

The Malkia Strikers head coach also highlighted his team's improvement in reception and backcourt defence, which have been their main Achilles' heels.

"I'm glad our reception and backcourt defence were on point today. The girls stood up today and did their job well."

Kenya Pipeline will now be aiming to complete a double by winning the Kenya Cup, which resumes next weekend.

His counterpart, Joseph Barasa, was a disappointed man after the tough loss.

"The game has been tough. We threw away our lead twice because we lacked the cutting edge to see the game out. We have, however, picked up the lessons and hope to fight and clinch the Kenya Cup."