Prisons ward off KCB to retain KVF title

Kenya Prisons successfully defended their Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) women’s title on Sunday after registering straight sets win in all matches as the curtains came down on the three-day playoffs extravaganza staged at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.

In their impeccable best, Prisons won three of the league’s climax fixtures by 3-0 sets, with KCB their final casualties, announcing their intentions of dominating the volleyball scene for years to come, at least for now, after ending Kenya Pipeline’s four-year reign, last year.

The Wardens eased past the Japheth Munala coached KCB with sets of 25-22, 25-19, 25-23 to be crowned champions for the second year running with nine points, three above runners up KCB.

Prisons also blew away former champions Kenya Pipeline, Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Friday and Saturday in the playoffs played on round-robin format.

The champions and KCB have now sealed slots for the 2020 Africa Volleyball Club Championship to be held in March at Ahly Club Hall in Cairo, Egypt. Kenya Pipeline will also represent the country after finishing third in this year’s Championship, also held in Egypt.

Speaking after defending the title, Prisons’ head coach Josp Barasa said proper preparations helped them spike their way to glory while also shifting focus to Africa Championship which has been elusive for Kenyan clubs since 2014.

“We had good preparation since the final league leg in Kapsabet last month, and that is why we have defended our title easily. Our target is to dominate the league for many years and with the foundation we have, I think we can do that,” he told Citizen Digital.

His opposite number Japheth Munala rued the exit of fast-rising Lorine Chebet who was recruited by champions Prisons for their loss but vowed to bounce back next year.

“Chebet was like a wild card during these playoffs but unfortunately she was recruited by our rivals and we have missed her a lot. Nevertheless we live to fight another day,” Munala admitted defeat.