Prisons, Pipeline off to winning start in Tunisia

Kenyan volleyball giants Kenya Pipeline during a past match against their arch rivals Kenya Prisons Women’s team. The two teams launched their 2014 CAVB African Women’s Club Championships with convincing victories in Carthage, Tunisia on Saturday. PHOTO/FILE

What you need to know:

  • Prisons, who have won the title three years in a row,  recovered from a first set loss to tame Bafia of Cameroon 3-1 (20-25, 25-13, 25-17, 25-11) in their opening match of the 16-team tournament. In the first match, international setter Janet Wanja scored 12 straight points on service after the second technical time out to steer the oil merchants to clinch the first set.

Kenyan teams, champions Kenya Prisons and Kenya Pipeline launched their 2014 CAVB African Women’s Club Championships with convincing victories in Carthage, Tunisia on Saturday.

Pipeline, the 2005 champions, needed 48 minutes to see off Rwandese Patriotic Army (APR) 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-17) in a Pool D match.

Prisons, who have won the title three years in a row,  recovered from a first set loss to tame Bafia of Cameroon 3-1 (20-25, 25-13, 25-17, 25-11) in their opening match of the 16-team tournament. In the first match, international setter Janet Wanja scored 12 straight points on service after the second technical time out to steer the oil merchants to clinch the first set.

The army side docked the first technical time out while leading Pipeline 8-7 before Ruth Jepleting, Violet Makuto and Esther Wangeci (left) imposed themselves on the game as the lead exchanged hands 16-10 in Pipeline’s favour at the second technical time out. Thereafter, the Kenyan girls took full control of the game to comfortably wrap up the set. Head coach Japheth Munala said the three new players in the team - Rose Magoi, Leonida Kasaya and Gaudencia Makokha - have gelled with their team mates.

“They have fitted in very well. If we continue playing like this then I expect better results than last year,” said Munala.

In Pool A host Carthage beat Water Sports of Ethiopia 3-0 (25-16, 25-12, 25-16), while Injis of Cameroon hammered Uganda’s Nkumba University 3-0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-15).

Prisons were up against Bejaia while Pipeline were due to meet Chlef of Algeria yesterday afternoon.

In Pool B Shams of Egypt thrashed Algerian club Bejaia 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-16). GS Petroliers (ALG) fought for almost 2 hours to pull off an epic 3-2 (25-12, 25-27, 25-11, 22-25, 15-13) win over Sfax of Tunisia in Pool C, while Ndeje University of Uganda flew past Manga Sport of Gabon 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-16).

In other Pool D match, FAP of Cameroon crushed Chlef of Algeria 3-1 (16-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-17).

Prisons were up against Bejaia of Algeria while Pipeline were to meet Chlef of Algeria yesterday afternoon.