Prisons, Pipeline to lock horns in volleyball play-offs
Kenya Pipeline captain Triza Atuka says her team is not concerned about the threat posed by rivals Kenya Prisons, ahead of the Kenya Volleyball Federation league playoffs.
The three-day competition serves off at the Makande Hall in Mombasa on Friday morning, and Pipeline alongside past winners Prisons, will compete with Nairobi Water and Kenya Commercial Bank for the national league title.
The four clubs will face each other in a round robin format, with the side that accumulates the most points being declared the champions.
Despite winning the last two league titles, Pipeline have played second fiddle to Prisons this season, having suffered three losses in separate competitions against their nemesis during that time.
These results have been attributed to the return of Brackides Agala, Jane Wacu and Everlyne Makuto to the Prisons set up following professional stints in Europe.
EXPERIENCED PLAYERS
Regardless, Atuka does not seem bothered by neither the statistics nor the opposition.
“We know them very well and it will be a balanced situation when we meet them. The game will be won by whoever plays well and makes less mistakes on the day,” Atuka said.
“Each game is going to be tough. All the four teams have been in camp for the past month and we don’t know yet what they have been planning.”
That said, Prisons coach David Lung’aho says his side’s main task in Mombasa will be to wrestle the title from Pipeline.
“We have all year dreamed of wrestling the title from Pipeline. It is not an easy thing to do, but with the quality we have, it is possible. My players are in perfect shape, I have no injury worries and I expect Edith Wisa to lead the onslaught alongside Yvonne Wavinya and the on form Jane Wacu,” Lung’aho said.
Alongside Atuka, Pipeline coach Japheth Munala will be banking on the experience of national team players Janet Wanja, Noel Murambi and Esther Wangeci.