DCI preparing for new season without key players

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Women's volleyball side is preparing for the 2021/22 season with a top-three finish in mind for a chance to feature in their first Africa Club Championship. 

The sleuths have finished in fourth place in the last two seasons of the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) league and are hoping to go one better in the new season set to throw off on 27 November with a two-day first leg scheduled for Mombasa. 

"The team has been improving with each season and a third-place finish is within reach this season. That will give us a chance to feature in the continental championship and open doors for our players for bigger platforms," said coach Daniel Bor. 

DCI are, however, beginning the season without two key players, left attacker Veronica Adhiambo and libero Josephine Wafula who have decamped to former champions Kenya Pipeline and KCB respectively. 

"It was inevitable we were going to lose some of the key players. Those two were instrumental for us last season. They have a chance to further their playing career and we can only wish them well and take pride in having given them a platform to launch their career," said coach Bor.

He continued, "We are in the hunt for a left attacker and an opposite player as well as a libero to bolster the team ahead of the season. If I can get an effective middle blocker it would also go a long way for us too. Our setting department is good." 

Bor had recruited Wafula from Soweto Secondary after her trials with Pipeline bore no fruits in 2017. At the time, she was playing as a left attacker and it took the convincing of Bor to switch to the libero position. Her place will be taken by Joy Wang'aya. 

"Wang'aya has been our second choice libero and now she has to step up as we look to bring in another player to help her. She is a good player and with a bit more playing time she will be at a good place. As for replacing Adhiambo, it will not be an easy feat but we are hopeful," Bor opines. 

The team, fresh from winning the Julius Nyerere International tournament in Arusha for the third season in a row is looking to ride on that form when the season begins. 

"We were using the Arusha trip as part of our build-up for the season. We are now doing our loading sessions before getting back to the court. We are looking to play a few friendly matches too before the season begins," added Bor. 

The side is boosted by the return of Maureen 'Esther' Wekesa who missed the playoffs due to injury. She was part of the DCI team that participated at the inaugural KVF beach volleyball circuit in Homabay and the tactician believes she will be fully recovered for the season.