Kenya Defence Forces headcoach Jackline Barasa/ CHARLENE MALWA
Kenya Defence Forces volleyball head coach Jackline Barasa is shifting focus to their final match against Directorate of Criminal Investigations with the playoffs in sight after conclusion of the fourth leg at Nyayo Stadium outdoor court.
Barasa credited her team’s composure in their victory over Nairobi Prisons.
She said: "We were well prepared and relaxed. I noted our opponents' weaknesses and took advantage of that, which worked for me."
Setter Milgreen Lituvula, returning from maternity, emphasised the team's strong reception and service as key factors in their success.
"I had a knee injury but soldiered on. Being the senior-most, my role was to push my teammates to put our best foot forward. I also had to give them morale, and they put up a good fight, especially given that I am fresh from maternity."
Nairobi Prisons coach pointed to costly errors as their undoing.
"We closed the gap on them twice, but our mistakes cost us. We messed up through our service, which was very poor, as well as reception and coordination."
KDF wrapped up their schedule with three victories, defeating Young Spykers 3-0 (25-3, 25-6, 25-13); Kenya Army 3-1 (20-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-19) and Nairobi Prisons 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-13).
Their only loss came against former champions Kenya Prisons.
Defending champions KCB Bank extended their dominance with a 3-0 sweep over Kenya Army in the fourth leg of the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Women’s National League.
Kenya Army showed resilience in the opening set, with Sheilah Kiplagat leading their attacks, but KCB Bank secured a 25-18 win. KCB then took full control, forcing their opponents to call an early timeout at 5-11 in the second set before sealing a commanding 25-10 victory.
Kenya Army fought to stay in the game in the final set, but KCB maintained their grip to wrap up a 25-17 win. KCB Bank was also awarded a walkover against Vihiga and had earlier beaten DCI 3-1 (25-15, 25-22, 25-13, 25-19).
Young Spykers' struggles continued as they fell to KCB Bank 3-0 (25-8, 25-7, 25-4) on Friday before suffering another straight-sets loss to Kenya Pipeline on Sunday (25-2, 25-6, 25-15).
Kenya Pipeline, fresh from winning silver at the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Zone V Clubs Championship in Kampala, Uganda, remains unbeaten, leading the standings with 25 points from nine matches.
Their only match of the weekend came against Spykers after being awarded walkovers against Vihiga and Maranatha, who failed to turn up.
Prisons Nairobi also benefited from a walkover against Maranatha, with head coach Kagiri acknowledging the disappointment but welcoming the points.
Meanwhile, DCI emerged victorious over Postbank with a 3-1 win.
The match started with DCI setting the pace, claiming the first set 25-21.
However, Postbank bounced back in the second, leveling the game with a 25-21 victory of their own.
The third set saw DCI regaining control, edging past Postbank 25-21, before sealing the match in a closely contested fourth set, 25-22.
