Prisons Kenya target maximum points with title defence in mind

Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) women's league defending champions Kenya Prisons face playoff hopefuls Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in the last leg of the league set for Saturday 14 August 2021 at the Kamiti Prisons grounds. 

The Josp Barasa-coached side is looking to finish the regular league unbeaten and top the league standings heading to the playoffs set for August 27 to 29 at Makande indoor gymnasium in Mombasa. 

The tactician who has not been with the squad since April after going to camp with the national team, Malkia Strikers, in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics has had three days of training with the team upon return from the Summer Games but believes they are ready for action. 

"We have had about three days of training with them but that's not to say they were not preparing for the final leg in our absence. Our target is to clinch wins in the remaining two matches ( they play Kenya Defence Forces on Sunday). That gives us a good start during the playoff as we pair with the fourth-placed team in the first match," said Barasa.

The Wardresses were last in action during the CAVB Africa Club Championships held in Tunisia where, under the tutelage if David Lugh'aho who was holding brief for Barasa, they finished in third place for bronze. 

At the time, the squad had travelled without the services of eight players who were with the national team in training and two more who could not get clearance to travel to Tunisia. 

The six Joy Lusenaka, Pamela Masaisai, Lorine Chebet, Joan Chelagat, Emmaculate Chemtai and Elizabeth Wanyama were in camp with Malkia as Prisons left for Tunisia. Two more players, Caroline Cherop and Joan Cheiyo could not be cleared to travel with the team due to a ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government directive requiring players traveling to be employee of the Prisons department. 

Lusenaka, Masaisai and Chebet who made the final Malkia Strikers team to Tokyo as well as league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) Brackcides Agala who later qualified for the Tokyo Games alongside Kenya Pipeline's Gaudencia Makokha in beach volleyball have also had three days of training with the squad after returning. 

"Since these are not new players they have just gone back and picked up from where we left. We are not worried about gelling. They know how we play and what is expected of everyone on the court," said Barasa. 

Meawhile, KCB who are hoping to give Prisons a run for their money in the title defence will miss the services of Rwandese setter Akimanizanye Ernestine who has joined the Rwanda national team’s training camp ahead of the CAVB Nations Cup championship set for September in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Japheth Munala-coached KCB also have their Olympians, including technical director who doubles as the national team coach Paul Bitok back in camp and in action today against Nairobi Water.

Saturday fixtures 

KDF vs Nairobi Prisons 

DCI vs Kenya Prisons 

KCB vs Nairobi Water 

Kenya Pipeline vs KDF 

Sunday fixtures 

Nairobi Prisons vs Nairobi Water 

KDF vs Kenya Prisons 

Kenya Pipeline vs DCI