Oscar Pilipili And Cavb
6 May 2008
Nairobi — Kenya recaptured the Women's African Clubs Championship following Prisons' victory over Mouloudia of Algeria in Cairo, Egypt.
It was a historic achievement for the Kenyan champions who were making their first appearance at the continental event and under new coach David Lung'aho.
Kenya Prisons players and officials after winning the women's Africa Clubs Volleyball Championship in Egypt.
Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) won a bronze medal after defeating the organisers Al Ahly of Egypt in the play-off.
Kenya Volleyball Federation through vice-chairman, Martin Makokha, congratulated the teams.
Prisons defeated Mouloudia 3-0 (25-19, 27-25, 25-23) in 79 minutes of thrilling action.
Prisons setter Jane Wacu and left attacker Lydia Maiyo played big roles in the victory on Sunday. Wacu displayed good setting and combination at the net while Maiyo was unstoppable with her powerful hits throughout the match that positioned her as the top scorer with 18 points.
Mouloudia controlled the net action at the start through the impermeable block by Nassima Benhamouda and the spikes by Dalel Draa and thus they led 8-5 at the first technical timeout.
Prisons improved with middle blocker Diana Khisa playing the major role to lead 16-12 at the second technical time out and the set 25-19. Prisons started the second set with fast attacks by Praxides Agala in position three to lead 8-7.
Ace Dorcas Ndasaba (No 9) during their final match against Mouloudia of Algeria. Prisons won 3-0 (25-19, 27-25, 25-23).
Mouloudia recovered through skillful setting by the competition best setter Fatima Oukazi to draw 13-13 before Mercy Moim put Prisons in lead again 16-14 at the second technical time out.
The Algerian team started to use the left attacker Amel Khamtachi in spiking from position two, but Prisons blocked well to lead 21-18 before Mouloudia coach asked for a timeout to arrange the block and succeeded to draw 24-24.
But Prisons won the critical points that allowed them to claim the set 27-25. The third set showed more improvement in Prisons defence against Mouloudia attacks and thus they led 8-5 and 16-11 with good combination from Wacu.
Khadambi returned to her role of blocking from position three to allow her team to stay ahead 20-16 and continued with spikes to win the set 25-23 and the match.
In the third place play-off, KCB defeated champions Al Ahly of Egypt 3-1 (25-20, 25-20, 23-25, 25-14) in 99 minutes to retain the bronze they won last year.
This was their third African medal after the gold in 2006 and the bronze in 2007.
Experienced Dorcas Ndasaba and Edina Rotich were stars of the match and top scorers with 17 points each.
Players from different teams who performed excellently during the continental championship. PICTURES: CAVB
Al Ahly's weak defence did not allow them to build up the attacks, but KCB had better backline defence that allowed them to apply their coach's strategy.
Al Ahly started the match with disciplined backline defence and led 8-5. KCB improved their reception and began to build up the attacks through wing spikers, Rotich and Ndasaba, to draw 11-11.
Ahly started to use fast attacks, but KCB contained them through blocks by Indakala and Jackline Barasa and led 16-15 at the second timeout. Ahly players committed many reception and service mistakes to allow KCB to win the set 25-20 in 25 minutes.
The second set saw Ahly coach replacing the setter Yosra Abdel Karim by Miral Raouf and the centre Hagar by Noha Mahmoud.
KCB arranged their attacks through field star Ndasaba and Doris Palanga to remain ahead at 8-6, 16-9 before clinching the set at 25-20.
Ahly, with the support of the crowd, returned forcefully in the third set, but KCB tamed them through block by Indakala and spikes by Rotich to win the set 25-23 and the match 3-0 sets.
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