Volleyball: Winning start for GSU in quest for league title

Gideon Tarus guided his charges, General Service Unit (GSU) to a 3-1 victory against David Lung'aho-coached Prisons Kenya as Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) men's league playoffs got underway at Nyayo Indoor Arena.

GSU headed to the playoffs as the top-ranked side after the regular season, tied on 40 points with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) but with a superior set ratio. 

Tarus' charges are looking to bag a fifth-consecutive league title and the positive start sets the stage for tougher matches ahead. 

"We had a good match but for the small mistakes that are part of any competition. Prisons are a good side and they used the experience to push us in this match. 

Our service and blocks were a bit wanting in this match so we have to polish on that before playing the next match. Our centre blocks failed in the second set and that's how we lost the set. We were, however, able to come back and hold our own for victory. 

We have three points despite dropping a set and the intention going forward is to pick maximum points in two remaining matches as we look to defend the title," said Tarus in his post-match comments. 

Lung'aho gave starting berths to Rodgers Kipkirui, Timon Kimutai, Kelvin Maiyo, Timothy Kipruto, Jairus Kipkosgei and Elphas Makuto with Daniel Maritim as the starting libero. 

His opposite number, Tarus had entrusted Kenya International Abiud Chirchir, Simon Kipkorir , Cornelius Kiplagat, Naftali Chumba, Shadrack Misiko and Brian Melly with Andrew Wafula on libero duties. 

Prisons went up 3-1 in the opening minutes of the match, forcing GSU to chase the game which they tied at three points, at four and again at five before GSU took the lead for the first time at 5-6. GSU led by two points at the first technical timeout (TTO). 

Prisons rallied from behind tie the match at nine points but GSU maintained the one-point lead, Prisons catching up until they took the lead at 14-13. It was GSU who led by a point at the second TTO. 

Prisons went ahead 18-17 but could not maintain the lead as the score was again tied at 18 before Tarus made his first change to the starting line up bringing in Nicholas Lagat for Kipkorir. 

Starting on service duties, Lagat played a crucial role for GSU who, for the first time took a two-point lead at 20-18 forcing Lung'aho into his first timeout. 

GSU got back to the court ready to put an end to the back and forth and went 23-19 ahead before Lung'aho asked for another moment with his charges and made one change, bringing in the experienced Hudson Wanyama but little changed as Tarus charges won the set 25-20. 

The lineups remained unchanged for the second set and in similar script, Prisons drew first blood going 2-0 up before GSU could get their first point. GSU went 3-2 up but the tables were turned as the warders led 4-3 off of a miscalculated tap-in by Chirchir. 

Prisons took a two-point lead at 6-4 and went in to lead 8-6 at the first TTO. However, GSH rallied to tie the score at nine and lead 10-9. The see-saw continued with Prisons assuming lead at 12-11, the gap extending to four points at 15-11 forcing the holders into a timeout. 

Prisons led 16-12 at the second TTO and the difference remained at 17-13 with neither side making any changes on the playing unit. 

The warders were unstopped in the ensuing moments as they bagged three consecutive points to lead 20-14 before GSU could take a moment to restrategize. 

Poor service from the warders handed GSU their 15th point of the set but the gap was immediately back to six at 21-15 and up to seven at 22-15 off a Maiyo block. 

Nicholas was in for Kipkorir as Tarus' charges attempted to fight on. The side scored three points to bring the score to 22-18 and Lung'aho had to make changes, bringing in Meshack Wambua for Makuto as the warders went on to level the sets with a 25-19 victory. 

"We played a much better game compared to our last meeting in the regular season against GSU. We pushed them to the limit and the set scores show but a lapse in concentration towards the end of sets cost us the match. 

Jairus' injury also affected the team's morale. He is our go-to player in reception and his absence could clearly be felt as his replacement, Wambua did not have the match momentum ag that point. We are hoping gor a better show in the remaining two matches," offered Prisons' assistant coach Ibrahim Oduor. 

The third set played in similar fashion, the two sides tied on points on numerous occasions in the opening moments before Prisons led 6-4 and took the first TTO at 8-7.

GSU went ahead for the first time in the set at 11-10 and stretched the advantage to three at 15-12 before taking the second TTO at 16-13. 

With the score at 17-15, Makuto paved way for Sila Kipruto as Lung'aho looked to bring in some fresh hands. GSU remained relentless in their attack, extending the advantage to four points at 21-17 as Lung'aho took his first time of the set. 

Mike Chemos was introduced in the match for Prisons for the first time as the warders came off the timeout but Sila's two attacks were adjudged to be out of bounds giving GSU a 23- 17 lead. 

Chemos, in return, handed Lung'aho's charges two crucial points for 23-19 and it was Tarus' turn to take a timeout. Despite Prisons' rally, GSU won the set 25-21. 

Wambua was handed a starting berth for the fourth set in place of Jairus as Lugh'aho was forced to make the change after the latter picked an injury in the last attack of the third set. 

For the first time in the match, there was a distinct difference between the two sides as Chirchir led GSU to a 6-2 advantage before taking a 8-4 advantage to the first TTO. 

Prisons looked disoriented by Jairus' absence and trailed 10-5 and Lugh'aho had to make amends as Chemos came in for Kimutai. His presence was immediately felt as he rallied Prisons to cut the deficit to two at 11-9. 

GSU's advantage of five at 14-9 was down to two at 14-12 before Tarus made his first change, bringing in  Bonfentry Wekesa for Misiko. The holders led by a point at 14-13 and 15-14 before Lugh'aho's charges leveled the score at 15. GSU were ahead 16-15 at the second TTO. 

Despite their impressive rally for a comeback, Prisons found themselves trailing 21-18 and the three-point remained at 22-19 before reducing it to a point at 22-21 forcing GSU into a timeout. 

Misiko made it 23-21 for GSU before paving way for Nicholas who had proven to be the go-to person when they needed someone to close the sets. Chemos made it 23-22 before Lung'aho brought in Wanyama for Rodgers. 

The score was tied at 23 after Chirchir's attack was blocked by Chemos and again at 24 as the former's service landed on the net. Chemos handed Prisons the equaliser at 25 points but Kipkorir made sure GSU led at 26-25. 

GSU's block failed and it was game on at 26 points, and keeping to the script, GSU went ahead 27-26 before closing the set at 28-26 for a 3-1 victory.