KDF edge Prisons in five set thriller

Kenya Defence Forces staged a major upset as the Kenya Volleyball Federation play-offs served off at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Indoor Arena on Saturday edging Kenya Prisons 3-2 in the opener.

The Soldiers won the first two sets 25-23 and 27-25 before the warders recovered 25-18, 25-21 in the third and fourth sets respectively to force the decisive fifth set.

Paul Muthinja’s charges led 8-7 at the first technical time out, but a tactical change by Ulinzi coach Willy Kolum saw him introduce veteran setter Elisha Aliwa for Joel Sato and the change proved important as Ulinzi won 15-12 to pick two crucial points.

“We are going to win this championships, these young boys are going to surprise more teams. The toughest team was Prisons and now that we have beaten them I know we will beat GSU and KPA. I know how to handle them,” said an elated KDF coach Willy Kolum.

His opposite number Muthinja rued individual mistakes as well as poor start for the shock loss which now complicates their chances of winning the play-offs having bagged only one point.

“This loss leaves us in a difficult situation. We now have to win all our matches and pick maximum points. In the first two sets our services and reception was poor and that forced us to play catch up. Individual mistakes in the fifth set proved costly,” assessed Muthinja.

KDF opposite Kelvin Omuse was the star of the show in the first two sets as he combined well with setter Sato to give his side a deserved lead. A late rally from Prisons proved futile as the Soldiers raced to a 2-0 set score winning the first two sets 25-23 and 27-25.

Sensing defeat, Muthinja recalled Ibrahim Oduor, Hudson Wanyama, and Daniel Kiptoo and their impact was felt immediately as they rallied to draw the game level 2-2 winning the third and fourth sets 25-18 and 25-21.

“The introduction of their senior players coupled with Omuse’s injury worked to our disadvantage. Omuse suffered an ankle injury in the second set but I told him to rest and come in the fifth set when the pain had subsided,” revealed Kolum.

Both sides took turns to score before Jairus Kipkosegei broke the tie with a clever dodge to see Prisons change sides in the ascendancy to lead 8-7. A killer block from Rodgers Kipkirui saw them stretch their lead to 9-7 before the turning point arrived.

Kolum introduced Aliwa for Sato while Muthinja brought in Kevin Kipkosgei for Kiptoo to beef up his defence. However, the change worked against Prisons as two mistakes from Kipkosgei saw KDF claim a two-point lead 13-11 through Micah Lagat’s side out and Aliwa’s block.

“I noticed that they were taking advantage of Sato’s height when attacking that’s why I introduced Aliwa to add height to my block. Given that we were trailing Aliwa’s experience was also important at that stage to cool the game,” offered Kolum.

Muthinja’s decision to bring back Kiptoo was a little too late as KDF carried the day 15-12.

The result leaves KDF with two points while Prisons have one.