Kenya Pipeline quartet among individual winners in CAVB Zone Five Awards

In the fallout to Kenya Pipeline women’s volleyball team’s success in the 2023 Confederation of Africa Volleyball (CAVB) Zone Five Club Championships, four members of the team were on Sunday 19 November recognized as part of the tournament’s dream team for their exemplary performances.

Leading the list of winners for Kenya’s only representatives in the five team women’s championships played at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda was team captain Rose Magoi, who was awarded as the tournament Most Valuable Player.

It was through her leadership that the team ended up winning the top prize, going unbeaten throughout the preliminary stages before dismantling the pair of Patriotic Army and Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) in the semifinals and finals respectively.

The latter, played on Sunday, ended up in a 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-19) win.

Kenya Pipeline crowned CAVB Zone V champions

Joining Magoi among the individual winners was her teammate Trizah Atuka, who was awarded as the best blocker.

“Feels really good to come out here in our first appearance and end up winning the championship,” Atuka, who was involved for Kenya in all the matches played said. “It definitely wasn’t easy given the high levels our opponents played with. The Rwandan teams have shown improvement over the years and we needed to be at our level best here.

“So happy that we didn’t disappoint any of our fans, corporate or even ourselves.”

Asked about what Pipeline’s approach in the final was, Atuka said: “Seems like our opponents, RRA, had studied our tapes and gameplans, blocking our attacks and wing-plays. That presented us with a challenge and we had to remain composed, counter and deliver the win.”

Also among the winners was the Pipeline pair of Agripina Kundu and Pamela Adhiambo, who were awarded the Best Libero and Best Attacker respectively.

To round off the best server, receiver and setter categories were: Flavia Dusabe (APR), Francoise Yankurije (RRA) and Iris Ndagijimana (RRA).

For the team win, Pipeline were awarded a trophy and gold medals, and an additional cash prize of 3000 USD (Ksh. 457,350).

In the men’s category, Kenyan player Elphas Makuto was awarded the best server for his exploits in his team’s (Police MVC) win over Sport-S VC to win the men’s championships.