Musa key in KCB’s title triumph, Namutira and Mutinda stars

Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) head coach Japheth Munala has hailed youngster Mariam Musa for starring in the outside hitting role and playing a key role to KCB’s second successive Kenya Volleyball Federation women’s league title.

The 23-year-old was tasked to fill in the void of veteran Malkia Strikers Captain Mercy Moim who remained out and she slotted in Munala’s side.

The former Kesogon Secondary School prodigy’s form saw her awarded the best outside hitter ahead of Prison’s Meldina Sande and Pipeline’s Pamela Adhiambo and is now touted as the heir to Moim.

“She started the play-offs with low confidence against Kenya Army but she has since grown into a key player for the team. She is a player we are currently banking on as Mercy Moim remains out.”

“Filling Mercy Moim’s position is not a walk in the park as she has been the cornerstone of the team. She controls the court and guides young players in the team, we are confident Mariam can grow in the role and become even a key member of the national team,” noted Munala.

KCB overcame their 3-0 defeat on Friday in the first leg of the three best series of the end of season play-offs to stun Kenya Prisons in straight sets on Saturday, leading to a tie-breaker which saw the bankers win on the same score line to defend their title.

KCB looked disjointed on Friday with the MVP of the league Juliana Namutira being far from her best as the wardresses cruised past them. Captain Edith Wisa and Belinda Barasa were also caught unaware many times by Prisons’ attackers and things only got worse when talented attacker Sharon Chepchumba suffered a setback and had to be forced out of the court.

It is fair to say Prisons’ left attackers Meldina Sande and Emmaculate Chemutai had a field day with their speedy attacks that caught Wisa and Barasa unaware as Yvonne Wavinya and Lorine Chebet manned the court.

Friday’s defeat was a wakeup call to KCB and the veteran coach who doubles up as Malkia Strikers head coach had to make a tactical switch going into the return leg in his squad after his dependable opposite players Sharon Chepchumba and Deborah Jesang suffered injuries.

Munala had to use the position as reception and tasked utility player Shirleen Maywa with the duties in which she excellently executed. The towering attacker who can play as a left attacker or opposite hitter combined well with the best setter of the play-offs Esther Mutinda to receive the balls in the back of the court.

Munala then tasked Juliana Namutira with attacking duties with the former Soweto Academy alumnus showing her class as she staged powerful attacks to lead the bankers to victory after failing to deliver in the first leg.

The 24-yr old would then proceed to star in the tie-breaker, leading the bankers to the KVF women’s league two-peat after the 3-0 win, eventually earning her the MVP award.

 Munala praised the Malkia Strikers’ regular for standing out in the crucial moments.

“I have coached Makia since she was at Soweto and eventually at KCB and Malkia Strikers and she’s a player I’ve seen her growth. It is not a miracle that she has been named the MVP. She is a very good player and she has the potential to become better."

Prisons would blame themselves after seeing the title slip from their hands, with the wardresses’ title wait prolonging.

Despite boasting players with wealth of experience like Joy Luseneka, Braxides Agala, Yvonne Wavinya and Emmaculate Chemtai, the Josp Baraza-led side couldn’t win their return leg and the tie-breaker to reclaim their title.

Prisons' poor services and poor reception was their major undoing, as individual mistakes cost them a lot of points in that crucial tie.  

Middle blockers Yvonne Wavinya and Lorine Chebet were also overpowered by KCB’s powerful attacks and looked to give in in the third set after their efforts hit the road in the opening set.

“We served off the game well but our services, blocking and reception gradually became bad as the game progressed. KCB were better and we couldn’t cope in the process, losing the game.

The Malkia Strikers’ assistant coach urged the federation to consider making the final a single leg tie instead of the current three best series approach.