Pipeline off to a winning start as Club tourney serves off

Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) former champions and representatives at the ongoing Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) women's club championship, Kenya Pipeline made easy work of Ivory Coast's ASEC Mimosa in a 3-0 outcome to set their ball rolling on a good note on Wednesday.

Paul Gitau's charges left nothing to chance as they picked all the important points to easily win the first two sets by identical scores of 25-11and set the pace for the match. 

It was, however, in the third quarter that Mimosa attempted to turn the tables on the oilers, the set heading to the first technical timeout with the two sides separated by one point at 8-7 in favour of the East Africans. 

Pipeline, however, capitalised on Mimosa's poor reception to to pick five quick points for the score to read 13-8 before the opponent benefited from a point off Pipeline's service gone wrong. 

The match headed to the second technical timeout with Pipeline leading 16-9. They extended the lead to 23-11 forcing Mimosa to call for a time-out that did little to change their fate as Pipeline picked the two points in quick succession for a third set score similar to the first two. 

"We had hoped for a good start and this match gave us just that. Our service, attacking, blocking and reception worked well. It was not a big match but, it served as an eye opener as it gave my players a chance to adjusting," Pipeline Coach Paul Gitau said,

He added, "I chose to start young players in this match and not change them as no one can grow without being given playing time. I brought all players here knowing that they are equal to the task and this will be the trend. I will give each player a chance to play a full match until such a time where it will be necessary to change that maybe in decider matches of at the semifinal and beyond."