Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) lost 3-2 (22-25, 25-23, 25-17, 17-25, 15-11 ) against Stef Auto in a crucial Pool ‘B’ match in CAVB African Women’s Clubs Championships at Moi International Sports Center, Nairobi.

The result complicated KCB chances of qualifying to the quarter-finals as they must beat Rwanda Revenue Authority in the final match to advance. KCB coach Paul Gitau started the contest with Trizah Atuka, Jacinta Miheso, Bosire Muyekho, Farida Efumbi, Eunice Maiyo, Eliza Karugo, Gaudencia Makokha, Martha Nduati as openers.

Succesful blocks by Muyekho and Atuka hand KCB first point of the match but Stef draw level with Elisa Raharimalala’s attack.
Stef rallied to catch up with KCB at 6-6 and overtook the hosts to take two points advantage at first technical time out.

Stef who were seeking to register their second victory exerted pressure on hosts but it was a close contest with just one points separating the two sides until the Madagascans gained crucial points to lead 16-14 at second technical time out.

powerful attacks

KCB attackers Atuka, Makokha and Maiyo tried to penetrate Stef’s defence with powerful attacks but the opponents were outstanding in blocks where Rambony Athares, Andrriamanona Noel and captain Rasamiarisoa Angella defended well at the net to deny KCB points.

Stef dominated the game and opened five points gap at 20-15 but a combination of unforced errors off KCB saw the Madagascan team maintained class to win 25-22.

The set was temporarily stopped for over six minutes over rotational order with match referees grappling over the service for KCB with scores at 22-18.

The second set started on same wavelength, with both teams going all out for points but the Kenyans did well to lead 8-6 at first technical time out.

temporarily stopped

Stef lead 16-12 at second technical time out to put KCB under intense pressure.The worrying four-point gap prompted Gitau to rest Makokha for Agripina Kundu in search of a winning combination.

The bankers, cheered on by vocal home fans, managed to contain Stef attackers and the return of Makokha towards the end of the hotly contested second set did the trick for home girls as they won the set 25-23 and draw level at 1-1 sets.

The third set was closely contested as teams tied at 2-2, 3-3 before Kenyans took 8-7 lead at technical time out after a combination of good toss by Efumbi and powerful attacks executed by Makokha and Karugu.

KCB with improved blocks and successful attacks took 16-10 at technical time out and great consistency saw them open six points lead at 17-12.

Five successful services by Karuga stretched the match to 24-17 before libero Nduati attack finally did the trick for KCB winning the set 25-17 to move ahead 2-1 sets.

Stef stretched KCB to win the fourth set 25-17 and level the matters 2-2 sets and force the match into tie-breaker which the visitors won 15-11.

In Pool ‘C’, Canon of DR Congo beat Varieties of Gabon 3-0 (25-6, 25-7, 25-8) to record their second victory of the tournament.