The 2018 KCB bank-KVF National Volleyball League playoffs came to a dramatic end at the Kasarani indoor arena in Nairobi with the Men’s defending champions GSU successfully retaining their title after edging out their long time nemesis Prisons Kenya in straight sets 3-0(25-19, 25-22, 25-20), crowning their season-long dominance with a back-to-back title.
In the ladies category, Prisons Kenya ended their 4 year wait for the title after beating perennial rivals Kenya Pipeline 3-1(25-19, 25-22, 22-25, 25-22) in a do or die match for Kenya Pipeline with qualifications to next years continental event at stake. That loss to Prisons Kenya under Coach Josp Barasa relegated the Japheth Munala led charges to the third place, being impressive KCB, who ended the season as runners-up.
In the first match of the day, Mombasa-based KPA saw-off a defiant KDF side led by coach Pius Birech 3-2(25-17, 25-23, 19-25, 14-25, 15-12) to record their first victory of the 2018 playoffs. Despite the hard fought win over the army side, KPA ended the 3 day long extravaganza in position 4, with KDF finishing the tournament in position 3.
The second match of the day pitted Runners-up KCB against Bungoma County, a match that ended i a straight sets victory 3-0(25-18, 25-13, 25-7) in favour of the bankers. First time participants in the tourney Bungoma county ended the tournament without a single victory.
The third match of the day saw Prisons Kenya take to the court against defending champions Kenya Pipeline. Prisons kenya head coach Josp Barasa paraded a starting line up that comprised setter Lusenaka, Middle blockers Lorine and Edith, Left attackers Sharon and Moim while the right player was Chemtai. On the other side, Coach Munala brought in seasoned right player Wangeci who replaced middle blocker Synaida with Makuto Violet moving to the middle blockers position alongside Christine Siwa,The left wing spikers were Kasaya and captain Murambi while the setter was Wanja.
Prisons Kenya started on a high note in the first set setting the pace as the set began and maintained the momentum by constantly staying in the lead before they finally bagged the set 25-19. They, Prisons Kenya, quickly followed the first set win with a hard fought second set win 25-22, pilling more pressure on the defending champions, Kenya Pipeline.
in the third set, setter Magoi came in to replace Wanja and the substitution paid off as they secured the 3rd set winning by 25-22. despite the resilience in the 4th set, Kenya Pipeline lost the 4th set 20-25, handing Josp Barasa his Maiden victory as Head Coach.
The last match of the day was Prisons Kenya against GSU, with Qualifications already secured for both teams, the contest was going to be a battle for supremacy. GSU thrashed their fello servicemen Prisons Kenya in straights sets 3-0(25-19, 25-22, 25-20) to retain their title and book their ticket to next years continental event alongside Prisons Kenya
Individual Awards
MEN
BEST SETTER – BRIAN MELLY – GSU
BEST RECIEVER – MICAH LAGAT – KDF
BEST LIBERO – SAM JUMA – KPA
BEST ATTACKER – JAMES ONTERE – KPA
BEST BLOCKER – SIMON KIPKIORIR – GSU
BEST SERVER – HUDSON WANYAMA – PRISONS KENYA
MVP – ABIUD CHIRCIR – GSU
WOMEN
BEST SETTER – JOY LUSENAKA – PRISONS KENYA
BEST RECIEVER – NOEL MURAMBI – KENYA PIPELINE
BEST LIBERO – LINCY CHERUTO – KCB
BEST ATTACKER – METRINE NABWIRE – KCB
BEST BLOCKER – EDITH WISAH – PRISONS KENYA
BEST SERVER – LEONIDA KASAYA – KENYA PIPELINE
MVP – MERCY MOIM – PRISONS KENYA
RANKING
MEN
1. GSU
2. PRISONS KENYA
3. KDF
4. KPA
WOMEN
1. PRISONS KENYA
2. KCB
3. KENYA PIPELINE
4. BUNGOMA COUNTY
Shikuku John Malenya
Kenya Volleyball Federation Press
finixsportsblog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.