KDF lost the chance to extend their consistent appearance at the national playoff stage when they succumbed 3 -1 (25-18,24-26,25-22, 25-19) to Kenya Ports Authority in a crucial decider match in Eldama Ravine, Friday.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 15 – A familiar face, Kenya Defence Forces will be missing when the best four men and women’s volleyball clubs in Kenya parade in Mombasa for this year’s Kenya Volleyball Federation national playoff set for between 25-27 November 2016.
KDF lost the chance to extend their consistent appearance at the national playoff stage when they succumbed 3 -1 (25-18,24-26,25-22, 25-19) to Kenya Ports Authority in a crucial decider match in Eldama Ravine, Friday.
This will be the first time in the history of the club that they will be missing the playoff in any of the season they’ve taken part in the KVF league.
The Army men were fighting for the last ticket to complete the line-up of top four teams to Mombasa.
This line up is led by leaders General Service Unit (GSU) who also humbled Kenya Prisons by straight sets (25-21,25-20,25-21) to extend their lead at the league standing with 33 points after the regular season.
Water will be making their debut in the play off while KPA booked their second consecutive appearance since they replaced former regulars Forest Rangers.
The Dockers came stronger in the last two sets having surrendered the second set to grab the last ticket to Makande.
They joined GSU, Nairobi Water and Kenya Prisons in the men’s category while the female line-up has usual suspects Kenya Prisons, Kenya Pipeline, Nairobi Water and Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).
Former women’s national champions Kenya Prisons extended their unbeaten record against the defending champions, Kenya Pipeline whom they humbled 3-1(25-23,23-25,25-19-28-26) despite having a lean squad that was missing three key players – Mercy Moim, Evaline Makuto and captain Loice Jepkosgei. Moim is in Europe for a professional stint while Makuto and Jepkosgei are nursing knee and ankle injuries respectively.
The win over Pipeline saw Prisons finish the regular season unbeaten after eight matches and Pipeline must now come up with a strategy to stop the marauding wardresses lest they lose their title.
Prisons last won the national trophy three years ago while Pipeline has won a back-to-back and are now chasing a treble.
Kenya Commercial Bank and Nairobi Water’s last day journey to the play off was made easy after Bungoma County failed to turn up for the league matches, forcing officials to give a walk over. The two will join Champions Kenya Pipeline and league leaders Kenya Prisons to the play -offs set for next month in Mombasa.
Playoff line up
Men: GSU,Nairobi Water,Kenya Prisons and KPA
Women:Kenya Prisons, Kenya Pipeline, Nairobi Water and KCB
-By Elvis Joshua-
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