Kenya Pipeline cruise to Africa Club Championships semifinal

© Kenya Pipeline

VOLLEYBALL Kenya Pipeline cruise to Africa Club Championships semifinal

Festus Chuma 20:12 - 19.05.2023

The Oilers remain country's sole representatives in the championship after the elimination of defending champions KCB.

Kenya Pipeline are through to the semi-finals of the women's African Volleyball Club Championships after a resounding 3-0 (25-10, 25-13, 25-21) victory against Nyong et Kelle Volleyball Club of Cameroon in the quarterfinals on Friday.

The Kenyan champions tormented their opponents with their signature hard-hitting antics in the encounter played at Nabuer in Tunisia.

The Oilers will now meet the winner between Carthage of Tunisia and Rwanda's Patriotic Army (APR) in the semifinal on Saturday.

Meanwhile, defending champions KCB have been eliminated from the competition following a 3-2 (22-25,27-25,25-20,16-25, 13-15) loss to Algerian side Mouladia Club D'alger in another quarterfinal match played on Friday.

The Bankers had won the title last year following a 3-1 victory against Egypt's Al Ahli, where Pipeline finished third after defeating Carthage of Tunisia 3-2 in the playoffs.

Speaking after the match, KCB captain Edith Wisa said their focus now shifts to the playoffs, where they are determined to finish among the top three teams.

"If the set score and ratio is anything to go by then, I believe we gave a good account of ourselves but unfortunately our best was not good enough," she said.

KCB reached the quarterfinals after beating Nigeria Customs 3-0 (25-14, 25-12, 25-15) in the quarterfinals played on Thursday night.

In the pool stages, the Bankers saw off National Alcohol Liquor Factory of Ethiopia 3-0(25-20,25-12,25-9), Cameroon's Nyong 3-0 (25-07,25-20,25-16) and Asca Salitigue of Senegal 3-0(25-11,25-13,25-15).

Pipeline are now the country's sole representative in the championship after the fall of men's team KPA in the quarterfinals yesterday.