DCI dreaming big after upsetting Prisons to reach Women’s playoffs final

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) volleyball club’s head coach Patrick Sang has praised his charges’ gallant display, that saw them shock former Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) women’s league champions Kenya Prisons to storm the playoffs final.

DCI put up a spirited fight to stun the wardresses 3-2 in a five-set thriller, earning them the first final spot since their entrance in the league in 2018.

The investigators had won the first leg of the three best-of-series semi-finals on the same score line, and when they needed to win that crucial tie, they did it in a similar fashion.

DCI drew the first blood, asserting early dominance to win the first two sets 25-22 and 25-21, before Prisons threatened to spoil the party in the third and fourth sets in which they reigned supreme 25-17 and 15-16.

However, DCI, determined to reach their first ever final, held their nerves to win the crucial set 15-12, much to the delight of Sang.

“I’m totally proud of what the girls did on Saturday. We came prepared and we fought for that final. Our tactical plan worked and I’m happy to be in the final,” noted Sang.

Sang now says his main aim is going all out for their maiden title. DCI, who were viewed as underdogs among the final four, are looking to make history by winning their first title, and Sang remains upbeat.

“It is not over; we are going to prepare for the final. We promised one another that this is the year we should bring that title home,” a confident Sang added.

The other finalists, Kenya Pipeline, will also be out to reclaim the title they last won in 2022 after edging out reigning champions KCB, with coach Geoffrey Omondi insisting on the importance of lifting the title after missing out on CAVB Zone V and Africa Club Championship titles.

“We missed on two important trophies and I’m left with no choice but to lift the local title. It is not going to be easy because DCI is a very strong team. We’ll go back to the drawing board and plan well to hurt them,” Omondi told Citizen Digital.

The men’s league will witness a block-busting final between record winners General Service Unit (GSU) and Kenya Ports Authority.

GSU will be chasing their 16th title while KPA will be hunting for their maiden title.

GSU stunned Equity in straight sets to complete a double on the bankers, after a 3-1 win in the first leg of the three best-of-series semis, while the Dockers sent reigning champions Kenya Prisons packing after 3-1 and 3-0 wins in first and second legs respectively.

Both finals will be played on June 6-8, 2025, at Kasarani Indoor Arena.