Kenya Prisons force semifinal deciders as Pipeline and KPA seal volleyball finals spots
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 05.07.26. | 09:45
The decisive third match will be played on Sunday, with the winner earning a place in the final against defending champions Kenya Pipeline
Kenya Prisons kept their Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Women's National League title hopes alive after battling from a set down to beat KCB 3-2 in a thrilling semifinal Game Two at the Kasarani Indoor Arena on Saturday.
This has forced the tie into a winner-takes-all decider.
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The wardresses recovered from losing the opening set to claim a hard-fought 15-25, 26-24, 25-23, 20-25, 15-13 victory and level the best-of-three series at 1-1 after KCB had won Friday's opening match 3-1.
The decisive third match will be played on Sunday, with the winner earning a place in the final against defending champions Kenya Pipeline.
Prisons coach Josp Barasa shuffled his starting lineup following Friday's defeat, resting middle blocker Anne Lowen and setter Herman Jepyego as Shyrine Jepkemboi and Mackline Okoko were handed starting roles.
However, the changes did little to prevent another sluggish start as KCB dominated the opening set through the impressive Pauline Chemtai, whose performances at the net helped the bankers take an early advantage.
Barasa responded with further tactical adjustments, introducing experienced duo Pamela Masaisai and Brackcidise Agala in place of Pauline Ito and Mercy Cherono, a move that transformed the contest.
Prisons edged a tense second set 26-24 before showing greater composure to claim the third 25-23 and move within one set of victory.
KCB refused to surrender, regrouping impressively to take the fourth set 25-20 and send the match into a decisive fifth set.
The bankers looked set to complete the comeback after opening an early lead in the decider, but Agala inspired Prisons' turnaround with crucial serves and outstanding reception as the wardresses completed a dramatic 15-13 victory to keep their championship ambitions alive.
Earlier, defending champions Kenya Pipeline became the first team to book a place in the women's final after completing another straight sets victory over Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The Oilers followed up Friday's Game One triumph with a 25-19, 25-23, 25-18 victory to sweep the semifinal series 2-0 and advance to the title showdown scheduled for July 17 to 19 at Kasarani.
Although DCI showed greater resistance than in the opening match, particularly in a closely contested second set, they were unable to capitalise on key moments as Pipeline's experience proved decisive once again.
DCI will now face the loser of Sunday's semifinal decider between Prisons and KCB in the third place playoff.
In the men's competition, former champions Kenya Prisons also forced a decisive semifinal after defeating Chema Volleyball Club 3-1 in another entertaining contest.
Having lost the opening match 3-1 on Friday, Prisons bounced back with a 29-27, 26-28, 26-24, 25-23 victory to level the series at one win apiece.
The two sides will meet again on Sunday afternoon in a winner takes all clash, with the victor progressing to the final against Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
KPA became the first men's finalists after defeating Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) 3-1 to complete a 2-0 semifinal series victory.
Unlike Friday's five set battle, the dockers imposed themselves from the start, taking the opening two sets 25-18 and 25-22 before KDF responded by claiming the third 25-23.
KPA quickly regained control in the fourth set, cruising to a 25-17 victory to book their place in the championship match.
KDF will now contest the third place playoff against the loser of Sunday's semifinal between Kenya Prisons and Chema.