DCI stun Prisons to reach maiden KVF playoff final
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 24.05.25. | 13:44
They play the winner between holders KCB and former champions Kenya Pipeline in the best-of-three final slated for Kasarani Indoor Arena in June
True to coach Patrick Sang’s conviction ahead of the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) women’s league semifinals, Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) have what it takes to battle for a maiden title.
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The perennial fourth-place finishers finally found the momentum to challenge for a podium finish, doing it in style as they swept former champions Prisons Kenya 2-0 in the best-of-three playoff clash at Mombasa’s Makande Hall.
The win handed DCI, who joined the top-tier league in 2018, a maiden place in the final, assuring them of a podium finish for the first time.
Sang’s charges opened their campaign with a 3-2 victory, repeating the score line in Game Two on Saturday to seal their final berth.
In Game One, DCI took the opening set 25-21, Josp Barasa’s side coming back strong for the second in a 25-12 outcome. Sang’s charges recovered for 26-24, but the opponent was not letting them have it easy as they levelled the game 2-2 with a 25-22 show in the fourth set to send the match into a decider set that ended 15-12 in favour of the investigators.
The script was slightly different on Saturday morning as DCI asserted early dominance, clinching the first two sets 25-22 and 25-22. However, Prisons Kenya bounced back decisively, taking the third and fourth sets in identical 25-16 score lines, forcing the match into a decider.
DCI, who seemed to have lost their momentum, came out for the fifth guns blazing to take a 6-1 lead, switching sides at 8-2.
A determined Prisons mounted a spectacular comeback, going on a 10-2 run to level the score at 10 and momentarily take the lead 12-10. DCI, however, dug deep, sealing the set 15-12 to avoid a decider match on Sunday.
“I am amazed by what my players have achieved, and I appreciate them. It, however, is not over yet. We have to prepare for the next test as we look to claim gold.
We had set our targets for a medal, and now that we are through for the gold medal match, we will fight hard for that,” Sang told KVF media.
Meanwhile, Barasa conceded defeat, blaming fatigue and luck not being on their side for the loss.
“Our departments, especially reception and blocking, have been our strong point. The squad also got to Mombasa late and did not have much recovery time, but that’s part of the sport.
We now turn our focus to the last podium place and will work for that bronze,” Barasa offered.
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