Mixed fortunes for Kenyan teams at Women’s African Volleyball Championship

It was mixed fortunes for Kenyan teams at the ongoing Women’s African Volleyball Championship in Abuja Nigeria where Kenya Pipeline sailed through to the semi-finals while KCB and Kenya Prisons were edged out on Wednesday.

It was sweet revenge for Kenya Pipeline, which lost to APR in their recent Zone 5 final, after it sent them packing after a 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-14) win.

It was fairly close in the beginning of the set. APR got a good swipe out although KPC found more holes in the APR defence. Both teams traded points afterwards with big hits and monster blocks, KPC nailed it 25-21.

APR couldn’t stand this rejuvenated KPC said in the second set. KPC turned up the power on their spikes and had APR falling all over the court. It was tight in the opening stages but KPC came back as APR’s concentration slipped with two blocks from Trizah Atuka as KPC then went on to take the set 25-17.

KPC maintained their momentum in the 3rd set. The continue to found a gap between the block. APR looked flat.

Miscommunication lost them another point and KPC took advantage to nail the set 25-14 to and secured a place in the last four.

In another quarter-final, defending champions Zamalek secured a hard earned 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-20, 25-21) win over pre-tournament favourites KCB

The teams competed for the lead swopping positions a couple of times before ZMK came out top. A solid block from ZMK and then a series of block outs put them well in front. KCB tried working different options with quick balls in the middle and spreading sets wide to the pins. It showed how good ZMK’s defence was that they could block the KCB out and get the ball back so often. Zamalek won 25-20.

A double monster block from the KCB and a great spike got them off to a good start in the second set, they capped off a good run of points and tuned out to became a confident set from KCB and they closed it out 25-23. KCB were struggling as ZMK scored point after point in the 3rd set. KCB had lost their energy and solutions to the ZMK onslaught. ZMK took the lead again to 25-20 and 2-1 on the night.

And then, there was a spark of fight with an amazing rally and defence and a couple of super-spikes in the 4th set. KCB look shattered and disorganized trailing 18-11. Zamalek sealed it 25-21 for a 3-1 victory and set date in the semi final against Kenya Pipeline.

Championship record holders Al Ahly also dismissed Kenya Prisons to set a date in the semifinals after a 3-1 (25-12, 25-20, 22-25, 27-25)

AHL started off with a bang and were winning 8-3, before PRI started engaging. A few spikes and volleying the ball to gaps at the back of the court won PRI points, however AHL were comfortably in control and won the set 25-12.

Tatjana Bokan had a good run of attacks to help put AHL 8-3 up again in the 2nd set. Errors from AHL allowed PRI to close the gap their but Ahly’s powerful hits made it difficult for PRI to come back. A run of three points, a hitting errors from AHL and a late ace brought PRI back into the set, but the AHL lead was too much and, in the end, PRI succumbed 20-25.

PRI initially started well, although AHL soon overtook and dominated most of the set, Then PRI made a passionate fight back and managed to close the gap with a number of spikes and serves and level it 12-12. PRI took the lead 16-15 for the first time and were leading again 21-19 when AHL called for a timeout, the Kenyans put sweat to secure a win 25-22.

It was a fight for the 4th set with both teams fully engaged. A must win set for PRI. The team followed with a couple of key blocks and then PRI hitting errors set AHL up 27-25 to win the match.

Al Ahly secured themselves a well-deserved match win and a place in the last four.