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Kenya: Volleyball - Prisons Rip Apart Ugandans to Enter Semis
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The Nation (Nairobi)
30 April 2008
Posted to the web 30 April 2008
Chris Musumba
Nairobi
National champions Kenya Prisons booked a semi-final slot in this year's Africa women's volleyball club championship when they beat a hapless Nkumba University of Uganda in straight sets 3-0 (25-10, 25-06, 25-06) in Cairo Tuesday.
It was an easy victory for the wardresses who dominated the match from the beginning. This was the university students' second straight loss, meaning they have now been bundled out of the tournament.
Left attacker, Lydia Maiyo, centre player, Praxicedes Agala, and Mercy Moim were in stupendous form.
Head coach David Lung'aho must have been sure of victory from the beginning as he opted to give youngsters Pauline Nyongesa, Fridah Efumbi and Elizabeth Nafula a chance to help them gain experience at the continental level. Prisons easily cruised to claim the first set 25-10.
Powerful spikes
The Ugandans had difficulties in the second set as they desperately struggled to keep pace with their more technically superior neighbours.
Nkumba coach Tonny Lakony called several technical time outs as he sought to change his game plan to contain their opponents, but the wardresses were just too strong for the Ugandans.
Prisons took an early 8-1 lead. Moim and Maiyo added more points with some brilliant spiking, forcing the Ugandans into committing silly errors. At the second technical time out, Prisons were 16-3 up.
Lakony then introduced setter Violet Akisa for Yelena Juma but she too could not contain the wardresses. Prisons won the set 25-6.
The third set was disastrous for the Ugandans as Prisons raced to an early 8-0 lead from the opening whistle. As confusion reigned in the Uganda's' territory, Prisons extended two more points for a 10-0 lead, before Lakany called for a technical time out.
Happy with team
Lung'aho then withdrew Wacu and Khisa and brought in Efumbi and Nyongesa as he experimented on a different playing pattern. At the second technical time out, the Kenyans were 16-1 up. Only a miracle would deny them victory.
Nyongesa then steered the team to gain six more points and claim the set 25-06. "Since we have qualified for the semis, we'll now concentrate on winning the pool. I expect Al-Ahly to stage a great challenge but if we remain composed, we will beat them," said Lung'aho.
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"I'm happy with their performance today as we are becoming better and better after each game," he added.
Lung'aho said he opted to field all his players so they can get the experience ahead of the tougher assignments. The young players are Joan Jelagat, Efumbi, Nyongesa and Jane Chepkemboi. Prisons meet Al-Ahly today in a match that will determine the winner of the group.
Lakony, the Nkumba university coach, said he was disappointed with his players' performance. "We didn't give our best today," Lakony said.
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