Kenya Pipeline breezes past KCCA in Zone V Championships opener

Kenya’s sole representatives in the 2023 CAVB Zone V Club Championships - Kenya Pipeline - on Wednesday 15 November kicked off their campaign on a strong note after dispatching Ugandan side Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-21) in a round-robin fixture played at the Bank of Kigali - BK Arena - in Rwanda.

Having arrived in the Rwandese capital on Monday, Pipeline, who clocked in two training sessions there prior to the game, began the game on a high as they took an early 6-3 lead in the first set.

Despite KCCA’s efforts to draw close and take a 16-14 lead, Pipeline, through Trizah Atuka and Pamela Adhiambo - both starters - drew the Kenyans back to a 21-17 lead before wrapping up the set 25-19.

The second set was a little straight forward as Pipeline took a 16-11 lead before winning 25-15.

The third set at some point witnessed a 6-6 draw before Pipeline broke away to 9-6, 16-13 and 21-17 leads to eventually shut out their Ugandan opponents 25-21.

“We thank God for the win,” Kenya Pipeline captain Rose Magoi said post-game. “It wasn’t an easy win, they are a tough team and we expect a tough competition.”

The team’s head coach Paul Gitau made some notable changes to his team, including handing Cellistine Nyongesa a start at libero in the place of Agrippina Kundu who was on the bench.

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Responding to the team selection and rotation, he said: “My plan is to be a little economical in this tournament. We want to be strong from Day One to the last day and that’s why I need to rotate my players and keep them fresh.”

With one game done and dusted, Kenya Pipeline next take on Rwanda’s Police Volleyball Club on Thursday 16 November and at the same venue.