GSU make light work of Prisons as KVF men's regular league concludes

Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) men's league champions General Service Unit (GSU) proved that their performance against former champions Prisons Kenya at the abandoned fixture was no fluke as they picked a straight-sets victory in a highly competitive match. 

The Gideon Tarus-led charges had already sealed a top two finish and only needed the victory for the bragging rights, even as the tactician said it was part of his build up for the upcoming playoffs. 

"I was well prepared for this match and expected to win, I just did not think it would be a straight-sets victory. Everything worked on our end and that is a result of the adjustments we had to make following the loss to Kenya Ports Authority. 

At the time of the loss, Abiud Chirchir , Brian Melly and Simon Kipkorir (Kosirai) struggled to coordinate as we had not trained well with them but now we are better," offered coach Tarus. 

As expected, it was fireworks from the get go, with both sides trading attacks and mistakes leading to points in equal measure.

GSU, however, got to the first technical timeout (TTO) first with Prisons capitalising on poor reception on the side of the holders to equal the score and ensure the back and forth continues. 

Prisons took the leat at 10-9 and extended the advantage to two points from a Jairus Kipkosgei service. He went on the service line two more times and on both occasions he handed the warders points.

With the sore reading 13-10, Tarus was forced to take a break for a pep-talk with his charges and immediately after Shadrack Misiko reduced the deficit to two. 

Tables turned at the second TTO as Prisons led 16-14 benefiting off a bad services from Simon to take the difference to three. Prisons still led 19-18 before coach David Lugh'aho made his first changes. 

Mike Chemos walked into the court for the first time with Prisons leading 20-18, much to the amusement of the fully packed Nyayo Court. 

Abiud was, however, at hand to hand GSU the crucial points to tie the score at 20 and again at 21. Tarus' charges went ahead 23-22 and Lugh'aho had to talk to his charges to try and salvage the set but if was never to be as GSU won 25-22. 

With Melly on the starting lineup in the second set for GSU, the defending champions led 3-1 and 4-2. Elphas Makuto's hard service for Prisons ended on the net for GSU to lead 5-3 but Chirchir's went out of bounds for 5-4 before Rodger Kipkirui tying the score at five and went on to give Prisons the lead at 5-6. 

The score was again tied at seven points with Simon on service duties for GSU as they led 8-7 at the first TTO. 

Tarus' charges extended the advantage to two at 10-8 and at the second TTO they had a four-point cushion forcing Lung'aho into a timeout. 

With Prisons trailing 18-14, Jairus gave way for Sila Kipruto as the warders looked to get better cover. The change did little to stop a charges GSU who got to 22 with Prisons still at 15 points and Lugh'aho needed another talk with his players. 

Commanding GSU sink KFS in ruthless title trot

Emmanuel Kosgei, Chemos and Daniel Kiptoo came in for Timothy Kipruto, Kevin Kipkosgei and Timon Kimutai, scoring three back-to-back for 22-18 forcing Tarus into a timeout that effectively stopped Prisons at 25-18. 

In the third set, Lugh'aho started Chemos for the first time with Jairus, Rodgers, Kiptoo and Makuto providing the much needed experience with Daniel Maritim on libero duties. 

Melly, Chirchir, Naftali Chumba who had so far been solid for GSU, Cornelius Kiplagat and Simon were also at hand to counter them with Andrew Wafula the go-to libero. 

GSU led 8-6 at the first TTO with a majority of their points coming off poor service from Prisons.  

Lugh'aho's charges rallied to take the lead at 11-10, forcing Tarus into a break. GSU were back on the driving seat at 15-11 and it was Lugh'aho's turn for a talk with his charges but GSU still lead 16-11 at the second TTO.

A six-point gap for GSU gave them the confidence and it was downhill from there on as they won the set 25-16.