KCB overcome resilient Pipeline to clinch Kenya Cup
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 13.07.25. | 19:33
They take the title from league champions Pipeline to bag a Ksh300,000 top prize courtesy of Mozzart Bet
Japeth Munala's Kenya Commercial Bank(KCB) women's volleyball side made light work of rivals Kenya Pipeline to clinch the inaugural Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Kenya Cup title on Sunday,13 July.
KCB came into the competition off the back of a third-place finish in the KVF league, having lost to Pipeline in the semis of the best-of-three playoffs.
Pipeline, on their hand, were chasing a double, having defeated Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to reclaim the league title.
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While the league provided the side's redemption chances, the Bankers knew they had only one to capture some silverware this season.
Their determination was evident as they came from two sets down in the semis against Prisons to take a 3-2(18-25,23-25,25-18,25-22 and 15-4) win for a place in the final.
Keen not to experience another slow start against the league champions, Munala's charges went out hard in the opening set, taking an early 11-5 and 15-9 leads in the opening half of the period.
Esther Mutinda's setting prowess and the on-fire Juliana Namutira combined well to push the scores, locking the set at 25-16.
KCB had smelt blood and it was time to take their sweet revenge on the league champions who denied them in the league playoff semis with identical 3-1 victories to take the series 2-0.
Coach Geoffrey Omondi struggled to find solutions for the raging bankers who took a 7-2 lead in the second set, a five-point difference that remained at 12-7.
The oil merchants dug deep to close in, with Gladys Ekaru's block and a net violation from KCB bringing Pipeline to within a point at 15-14.
An ace from the indefatigable Marlene Tata made it a five-point game yet again at 20-15 as the Bankers won the set 25-19.
Pipeline had a better start to the third set, keeping the scores close at 6-4 but their run was short-lived as KCB pulled away again to lead 12-6.
The oilers, however, refused to go, piling pressure which paid off as they came to within a point (14-13), renewing hopes for a comeback.
Despite keeping it close, Tata delivered the winning point to see KCB crowned champions.
