KCB regrouping after Prisons’ defeat

Women’s volleyball side Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) are back on the drawing board where they seek to right the wrongs that saw them lose 3-1 to arch-rivals Kenya Prisons in the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) opening leg on January 23 to 24.

In the highly billed fixture played at Nyayo Indoor Arena, the money bags got a test of their investment as they fell to the holders, managing to pick one set from the fixture that was expected to go to the wire.

KCB finished second behind Prisons in the last championship held in 2019. In preparation for the 2020 season that was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, KCB went on a spending spree making seven new signings.

Malkia Strikers’ skipper Mercy Moim and Edith Wisah ditched Prisons for the bankers while another Malkia sensation, Sharon Chepchumba, joined from Kenya Pipeline.

Also joining the former Africa Club champions in the 2020 transfer window was Uganda’s middle blocker Sharon Amito who crossed over from Ndejje University and Kwathanze’s duo of Emmaculate Nekesa a setter and Sharon Sandui, a libero. Rwandese setter Ernestine Akimanizanye was the final addition to the title-chasing outfit.

“We lost a match that we shouldn’t have lost. It was, however, an eye-opener to continue working on team cohesion and match fitness. After the long layoff, the players are not at their best. Additionally, a majority of the players had not played together in a competition setting since we signed them ahead of the canceled 2020 season,” said KCB head coach Japheth Munala.

Tipped to carry the day by virtue of their star-studded squad, the bankers had taken a 8-5 lead in the first technical time out of the first set, but the Prisons would hear none of it as they clawed back to lead16-13 at the second technical time out. Prisons won the set 26-24.

Prisons led 8-5 and 16-13 in the second set's technical-timeouts. KCB assumed the lead at 22-20 but collapsed when it mattered to lose 28-26. Munala rested Akimanizanye for youngster Nekesa in the third set as KCB led in both the first and second technical timeouts 8-7 and 16-12. Munala’s charges won the set 25-21. In the final set, Prisons made easy work of KCB as they won the set 25-16 to bag maximum points.

“Our backcourt defense, left attack, setting and reception were not working. The tactical change in the setter position in the third set made a difference and I am impressed with how Nekesa is transitioning from school to club volleyball. Our services were also weak and we did not get it right with our blocks. As such, we are working on all those aspects as a whole. The league is still young and we have time to recover. This loss came at a good time when we have time to work on our weaknesses,” added Munala.