Former National and East Africa Secondary School boys’ volleyball champions Malava High School returned to the national stage with a bang beating Gankanga Secondary School in straight sets at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST).
Malava, who have been in the shadows of 2013 East Africa champions Friends Secondary School Namwela for years, owned the court as they won 25-20, 25-19 and 25-10 to enhance their chances of reclaiming their title.
Malava will today play 2023 national winner Ruthimitu Mixed from Nairobi in their second Group B match, with a victory earning them a place in the last four.
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However, they face an uphill task against Ruthimitu, who must win to revive their hopes of remaining in the title race.
Ruthimitu suffered a shock defeat to Coast Region’s Mwaluphamba Secondary School. Gritty Mwaluphamba put up a spirited fight taking the first two sets 31-29 and 25-23.
Determined not to go down without a proper fight, Ruthimitu, who returned after missing last year’s games, recovered to win the third and fourth sets 25-21 and 25-17 to set stage for the decisive fifth set. Mwaluphamba fought on to win 15-12.
In Group A, defending champions Cheptil High School from Rift Valley beat Furaha Secondary School from North Eastern 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-17).
Though they lost, it was a great display for the North Easterners who for many years have been the whipping boys of the competition.
Gogo Mixed from Nyanza also got off to a flying start after dismissing Kambaa Secondary School from Central in straight sets of 25-18, 25-14 and 25-16. Cheptil will today play Gogo with the winner booking the first semis slot, while Furaha will take on Kambaa.
In netball, former national champions Kaya Tiwi from Coast thrashed North Eastern’s Hon DM Amin 114-4 in their opening Group A match.
Rift Valley champions St Joseph’s High School also had a good day in office thumping Eastern’s Kajiampau Secondary School 96-9.
Today, Kajiampau will tackle Hon DM Amin, while St Joseph’s will clash with Kaya Tiwi.