Pipeline disarm DCI to reclaim women’s volleyball league title
Noel Murambi (left) of Kenya Pipeline attacks as Sarah Namisi (centre) and Peris Kanus of DCI attempt to block the ball during game two of the Kenya Volleyball Federation play-offs final at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on June 7, 2025.
What you need to know:
- On Friday, Pipeline had won game one of the best-of-three finals play-off in straight sets.
- Pipeline and DCI will represent Kenya in the African Clubs Championships next year.
Kenya Pipeline lived up to their team’s slogan “Yes, we can” as they battled to beat upstarts Directorate of Criminal Investigations 3-2 (21-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-21, 15-11) for an unassailable two games to zero lead to reclaim the Kenya Volleyball Federation women’s National League at Moi International Sports Centre indoor arena, Kasarani in Nairobi on Saturday.
On Friday, Pipeline had won game one of the best-of-three finals play-off in straight sets.
Pipeline and DCI will represent Kenya in the African Clubs Championships next year. Pipeline had last won the national title in 2022.
Pipeline coach Geoffrey Omondi was on cloud nine saying the win had erased the disappointment of failing to bag the African Zone Five Clubs Championship early this year in Uganda and the third place finish in the African Clubs Championship in Nigeria in April.
Improved remarkably
“As I had indicated on Friday, DCI was a tricky side. They pushed us to the wall. Deep down I knew we would win the match even when DCI led 2 sets to 1. Just as our team slogan “Yes, we can” I told the players to believe in the slogan and I’m happy we carried the day” said Omondi.
“I want to laud DCI coach Patrick Sang for building a strong team that gave us a run for our money in game two. We had it easy on Friday but we had to sweat for today’s win and that’s what a final entails,” he added.
Experienced middle blocker Triza Atuka praised DCI players saying they had improved remarkably on their services and back court defence which proved vital for DCI as they bagged two sets to force a tie breaker.
DCI coach Sang said they lost but with their heads held high.
“This was our first time to reach this stage and I want to thank the players for a good show today. Unlike Friday when we lost the match easily, today we put our right foot forward but we didn’t contain Pipeline who had an edge over us. They have experienced players who knew what to do,” said Sang.
Experienced players
DCI setter Jane Mumbua echoed Sang’s sentiments saying they had lost honourably.
“We are no longer underdogs. We now deserve a seat at the table and I want to thank my fellow players for the good fight and especially experienced players like Sarah Namisi, Mercy Iminza and Caroline Sirengo who stood out for us,“ said Mumbua.
Meanwhile, Equity Bank and KCB finished third in their respective play-offs.
In the men’s contest, Equity Bank humbled defending champions Kenya Prisons 3-1 (21-25,25-22,25-23,25-19), while KCB defeated Kenya Prisons 3-1 (27-25,14-25,20-25,13-25) in the women’s duel.
At the same time, GSU, leading by one game, faced KPA in game two of the men's play-offs final on Saturday evening at Kasarani looking to wrap up the final series.