KVF Men's League: Trailblazers back to winning ways in comeback victory over Equity

Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) men's league bronze medalists Trailblazers had to dig deep in to their tanks for a 3-2 ( 21-25, 27-29, 25-23,25-21, 15- 11) victory against Equity Bank men. 

The edge-of-the-seat action at Nyayo Indoor Arena saw the Geoffrey Omondi-led Trailblazers come from two sets down for the victory, a first on the court in six matches. The only other points they have picked in the last six matches were from a walkover against Vihiga Volleyball Team. 

"It took resilience and mental strength for this to happen. The players had to dig deep and they delivered. 

The introduction of Emmanuel Melly was a game changer. His experience and morale on the court in the third set was what we needed and it created the magic for this comeback," offered coach Omondi after the match. 

The bankers started on a high, racing to a 3-8 lead that saw a seemingly frustrated Omondi call his charges out for a timeout to get his house in order.

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David Neeke pulled Trailblazers to seven points but the gap was still there, with Equity at 11. The four-point advantage remained at 9-13. 

Points from Obadiah Bundotich and Juliard Mbappe cut the deficit to two at 12-14 but the difference was back to three at 13-16. 

Reagan Omondi's clever setter dump and a service error from the bankers saw Trailblazers come to within a point of equaling the score at 16-15 and it was coach Sammy Kirongo's turn to call for a timeout. 

Costly mistakes on the part of Trailblazers continued to plague their attempt for a comeback and they went on to lose 25- 2 , the final point for Equity coming off a service error from the eventual winners. 

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Trailblazers turned the tables in the second set, going 6-3 up and forcing Kirongo into a timeout to try and bring their mojo back. 

The bankers conceded another point off the timeout and, as Bundotich was getting medical attention for a bad landing, Kirongo was preparing to make his first substitution bringing in Elly Kigen for Vitalis Wekesa. 

Trailblazers still led at 8-5, 8-6, but their safe haven was threatened when both Neeke and Bundotich were effectively blocked by Enock Barasa with Felix Otieno in on the action to tie the score at eight points. 

The bankers took the lead at 11-12 but the opponent made sure to cancel every point scored to keep the match close. 

A two-point advantage for Equity at 21-19 courtesy of another setter dump from the bankers forced Trailblazers into a timeout and they quickly recovered the two to tie the score at 21 and win a tough rally to resume lead at 21-22. 

The scores were tied at 22 and again at 23 and 24 as each side relentlessly fought to bag the set. Trailblazers went ahead 24-25 off of a Neeke ace but Adam Emmanuel overshot his attack that would have won the set for his side to bring Equity back into the match. 

An ace for the bankers would eventually decide the match as setter Jean Masezerano fumbled under pressure and miss the ball entirely to end the set despite perfect reception by Neeke. 

Trailblazers brought a different energy to the third set and fought successfully to remain in the lead as they went on to win the set ..

Determined not to let a two-set advantage slip, the bankers took an early lead in the forth set but Trailblazers kept plowing their way back in to thr match and turned the tables around from a five-point deficit to take the lead at 19-20.

Poor reception on the part of the bankers and massive blocks for Trailblazers, with Emmanuel Melly leading in the block party, saw the latter win the fourth set and set the stage for a decider set. 

Their momentum was immense and they continued to dominate the fifth set as the bankers seemed to have lost their rhythm.

Omondi's charges led 8-5 to make the changeover with a confident lead that sent their fans at the arena into cheers of celebration as the end of a torid losing run was near. 

They rallied on for a convincing 15-11 win that sealed their victory and put an end to their losing streak.