The battle for the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Men and Women’s National League titles will hit a notch higher as the last four teams battle for places in the final at the semi-finals play-offs set for May 23-25 at Makande Gym, Mombasa.
There will be no room for mistakes as defending champions Kenya Prisons and KCB Bank fight to remain on course to retaining their titles.
However, they must be at their best because their opponents are keen to dethrone them. With a lineup that has the champions and former winners, the semis present a stage for fierce contests as each team seeks to remain in the race for the top prize.
The best of three challenge will see every team push to draw the first blood and have an upper hand. However, the teams will have to go all out and get the job done because even winning the first game does not guarantee qualification if the last eight clash pitting Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and Equity Bank is anything to go by.
The bankers recovered from game one defeat to beat the soldiers 2-1 and secure a semis slot.
Reigning men’s champions Kenya Prisons must overcome Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) who have been very impressive this season to remain on course to retaining their trophy.
The warders who advanced to the semis after beating Kenya Forest Services 2-0 will have to be very tactical and minimise unforced errors.
Being the stronger side in all aspects, they were expected to easily cruise to the semis but they had to dig deep to win the first game 3-2(18-25, 25-16, 32-34, 28-26, 15-13) and second 3-1 (25-17, 23-25, 25-20, 25-19).
KPA on the other hand won all their two games against Trailblazers in straight sets to prove that they are strong contenders for this season’s gong.
Former champions General Service Unit (GSU) who are determined to end a two-year trophy drought will clash with Equity Bank. GSU have been in great form this season easily securing their last four place after dismissing Kenya Airport Police Unit 2-0.
They won all the two games in straight sets and also topped the regular season standings. They will, however, be wary of Equity who came from a game down to eliminate KDF.
In the women’s contest, KCB will face off with Kenya Pipeline who are not only hungry for victory but also yearning to recapture the trophy that has eluded them for years. The other semi-final will see former champions Kenya Prisons lock with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations who are looking to book their first ever finals spot.
Both KCB and Pipeline will have everything to fight for with the bankers looking to successfully defend their crown while the oilers will be out to reclaim their lost glory.
Pipeline tactician Geoffrey Omondi said that the competition is getting tougher but they are also becoming better with every game.
“It’s getting tougher as we get closer to the finals but we are also getting stronger but we need to pull up our socks. The quarters have not been tough, the semis will be an uphill task but we will manage,” Omondi said.
Elizabeth Mburugu
| May 13, 2025