KVF Playoffs: Kenya Prisons fight to pick maximum points against resilient KDF

Kenya Prisons dispensed off a hard fighting Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) 3-1 in the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) men's league playoffs ongoing at the Makande Hall in Nairobi for their second win of the championship to lead the standings at six points.

GSU come from two sets down to see off KDF

They came into the KDF match on the back of a similar performance against Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), fighting from a set down to win the match 3-1 for maximum points.

KDF coach Elisha Aliwa trusted Maxwell Erndit, Eliud Samoei (libero), Aggrey Kimezi, Aggrey Kibungei, Cornelius Kiprotich and Nelson Bitok to start the match with Bernard Wechuli also in the starting lineup. 

His opposite number David Lugh'aho had skipper Hudson Wanyama starting the match alongside Elphas Makuto, Daniel Kiptoo, Meshack Wambua, Michael Chemos, Rodgers Kipkurui and Peter Kibata with the libero duties. 

"The title is ours to lose. I am impressed with how my players are playing but it is no surprise as this has been our form this season. We also have our full squad with Chemos and Sila Kipruto available as well as the youngsters like Wambua who have proved very instrumental," said Lugh'aho

As expected, it was a see-saw on points with Prisons heading to the first Technical Timeout (TTO) leading 8-7 bit stretched their advantage to three points at 16-13 at the second TTO. 

Prisons added two more points to their tally prompting the Ulinzi bench to call for their first timeout and restrategise. Micah Lagat also came in for Kiprotich in the military side's first substitution. 

KDF cut the lead to four points and the opponent made their own change, bringing in Jairus Kipkosgei for Kipkurui with the score reading 20-16. 

Michael Kiprono came in for Wechuli and helped KDF cut Prisons' lead to two points at 24-22 with speedy services. Aliwa entrusted the final service to substitute Daniel Letangwa who came in for Kibungei but the service master send his ball flying past the Prisons side of the court and out of play to hand the Ruiru-based warders the set at 25-22. 

Aliwa's men started well in the second set leading 8-7 at the first TTO but the tables were turned in the second one, Prisons taking a one point advantage at 16-15. 

Skipper Wanyama gave way for Emmanuel Kosgei with the score reading 10-7 and was instrumental in helping Lugh'aho's men stay at the helm against a hard-fighting KDF. A time out for Aliwa as his charges trailed by three points at 21-18 did little to change their game as Prisons won the second set 25-19. 

The KDF of day one that played five sets to pick a point against General Service Unit (GSU) was awakened in the third set. Aliwa calm demeanour on the touchline could fool you that the military men had resigned to fate but far from it. 

Their intend was clear from the first serve as they bagged four back to back points, handing Priosns their first point with a service gone wrong and went on to lead 5-1 and 8-3 at the first TTO. They extended their advantage to six at 10-4 and Lugh'aho rang the bell for a timeout but KDF kept going to maintain a five-point advantage at the second TTO (16-11). 

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Prisons, however, played their hearts out to level the score at 18 points and it was Aliwa's turn to ring the bell for a chat with his charges. They maintained their composure and Prisons did not do much to help their cause as, twice they served into the net and the the final service by Chemos flew past the field of play handing KDF the set at 25-22. 

"Our concentration in the tail end of each set is wanting and we have to work on that against GSU. It will be a tough match but we are ready to fight for that elusive title. We last won in 2016 and it is time we reclaimed our spot," added Lugh'aho.

Prisons were rattled and they had to act fast before KDF could spoil their party. Experience played a pivotal part in the fourth set as Lugh'aho's men led 6-3 and 16-11 at the two TTO's. KDF were not letting them have it easy as they pushed back, the warders getting their lucky break to win the set 26-24.