Kenya Pipeline reach Africa Volleyball Club Championship final

Kenya Pipeline women's volleyball team stormed the African Clubs Championships final on Saturday after defeating hosts CFC 3-2 (18-25, 27-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-9) in Kelibia, Tunisia.

The Oilers, at their impeccable best, lost the first set to Tunisia, but they put up a spirited fight for a comeback in the second set.

Experienced setter Rose Mango, Leonida Kasaya, and hard-hitting Daisy Chepkorir combined well upfront to earn Kenya Pipeline maximum scores as they extended their lead to earn maximum scores in the third set.

The North Africans grew in the game, earning free scores due to Kenya Pipelins's poor judgment at the backcourt as they won the third set.

In the deciding fifth set, Pipeline made their intentions clear as they raced to a 4-0 lead, with CFC looking out of place early on.

They, however, managed to close the gap to 7- 4, but their heroics proved too little, too late, as Pipeline just about managed to seal the match with a 15-9 win in the fifth set.

The Paul Gitau-coached side will now face Zamalek of Egypt in the final, who beat MCA of Algeria in the other semifinal, which took place earlier on Saturday.

On their way to the semis, Kenya Pipeline, who finished third in their last outing in 2022, stunned Nyong et Kelle Volleyball Club of Cameroon 3-0 in the quarterfinals.

Defending champions KCB were eliminated in the quarterfinals by the little-known Mouladia Club D'alger of Algeria on Friday.

The Bankers succumbed 3-2 (22-25, 27-25, 25-20, 16-25, and 13-15), leaving local champions Kenya Pipeline as the country's sole representatives in the championship.