Kenya Pipeline off to winning start in Zone V tournament as KPA get scare from Forest before winning in KVF league action
Confederation of Africa Volleyball (CAVB) Zone V Clubs championship women champions Kenya Pipeline served off the defence of their title in commanding style on Thursday in Kampala, Uganda.
The Oil Merchants who are favourites to retain their trophy saw off Uganda’s Ndejje Elites in straight sets in their opening match.
While the champions kept giving their opponents some hope across the three sets, they eventually won the match 25-16, 25-20 and 25-23 at the Lugogo Indoor Arena.
The result is what coach Geoffrey Omondi will have asked from his charges even though he will not be happy with the way the Ugandans were able to earn some easy points especially with their free attacks.
Once again national team players Trizah Atuka and Aggripina Kundu led the way for Pipeline with Malkia Strikers middle blocker Atuka showing her power not only at the net but also on the service line.
Libero Kundu was once again as reliable as ever as she ensured that the team setter Emmaculate Nekesa had an easy time in setting up the attacks as she was able to receive the second ball most of the time in her target area.
Kenya Pipeline is the only Kenyan team that is playing at the Zone V tournament with Kenya Volleyball Federation league champions KCB Bank and former champions Prisons Kenya having decided not to travel to Kampala.
The Kenyan clubs are also preparing for the CAVB Club Championships which are set to be held in Nigeria in April.
While Kenya Pipeline decided to use the Zone V event in Kampala as preparation for the club championships, KCB Bank and Prisons Kenya decided to remain at home and train for the same event.
Kenya Pipelline are in Group A at the Zone V tournament together with Ndejje Elites, Tanzania Prisons and Uganda’s KCB- Nkumba.
Meanwhile the KVF fourth leg men’s league served off also on Thursday, February 27 at Nyayo Stadium Gymnasium and Volleyball courts.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), which is one of the teams tipped to win the league title won the opening match but not without a fight.
KPA were pushed all the way by Kenya Forest Services before eventually winning 3-2 (25-19, 21-25,25-23,22-25,15-9)
In another match, Kenya Airports Police Unit (KAPU) disarmed Kenya Army 3-0 (25-13, 25-19-25-22) while Rift Valley Prisons also beat Mt Kenya Base Yetu in straight sets of 25-11, 25-13 and 25-14.
Administration Police also won as they saw off Nairobi Prisons 3-0 (25-23,25021 and 25-23.