GSU and KCB Bank crown season with Kenya Cup gongs

Brian Melly and Andrew Wafula of GSU block a shot from Michael Chemos of Kenya Prison during Kenya Volley ball Federation National playoffs at KPA Makande in Mombasa.[File, Standard]

It was a happy ending for Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Men's National League champions General Service Unit (GSU) and KCB Bank as they bagged the inaugural Kenya Cup gongs.

The two sides were crowned as curtains fell on the 2024-2025 KVF season at the Kasarani Indoor Arena at the weekend. GSU shook off a slow start that saw them trail the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) by two sets to win the tightly contested final and secure their second major trophy. KDF who were looking to redeem themselves after finishing in the league squandered their lead to settle for silver.

The soldiers had a good start taking the first two sets 25-22 and 26-24. However, their troubles started when they failed to kill the game in the third set allowing GSU to recover from 22-24 to score four straight points and snatch the set 26-24. With a set in their bag, the experienced paramilitary side punished KDF severely by taking the fourth and fifth sets 25-17 and 15-12 to grab the trophy.

GSU dominated the men's individual awards list with middle blocker Simon Kipkorir bagging the Most Valuable Player award (MVP). His compatriots Brian Melly, Nicholas Matui and Hudson Kipchumba were named best setter, outside hitter and libero respectively. KDF's Johnstone Sirengo emerged the best middle blocker with his teammate Collins Muya taking home the best opposite award. KPA's Enock Mogeni was the best server.

KCB Bank put up a stellar performance to win the women's title crashing Kenya Pipeline's hopes of ending the season with two major trophies. The bankers who relinquished their league crown to Pipeline last month exerted revenge on the oilers who eliminated them in the semi-final. Notably, the return of setter Esther Mutinda and middle blocker Belinda Barasa was a major boost for Japheth Munala's side. Mutinda and Barasa were unavailable during the league play-offs.

An elated Mutinda said that though they had emerged victorious, they had identified areas of weakness that they need to improve ahead of next season. "I'm very happy! I just returned some days ago. We made mistakes in the match but we are hoping that next we are going to rectify when we start preparations for the next season," she said.

KCB's Terry Tata won the women's MVP award with Mutinda taking home the best setter's accolade. Barasa was voted the best middle blocker while teammate Juliana Namutira grabbed the outside hitter award. Pipeline's Pamela Adhiambo and Cellestine Nyongesa were named best opposite hitter and libero whereas Kenya Prisons' Meldina Sande was the best server. With the local season having ended, newly appointed women's national team coach Geoffrey Omondi will embark on Malkia Strikers preparations for the upcoming FIVB Women's World Championship. The biennial event will be held in Thailand from August 22 to September 7.