Battle for KVF National League titles intensify as play-offs serve off

After securing places in the top-eight, 16 teams will begin their quest for the last four slots as the quarter-finals play-offs of the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) 2024-2025 season begin on Friday at Kasarani Indoor Arena and Nyayo Gymnasium.

Reigning champions Kenya Prisons and KCB Bank will be looking to overcome their opponents and remain on course to retaining their Men and Women’s National League titles.

The men’s matches will be at the Kasarani Indoor Arena while the women will play at Nyayo Gymnasium. The quarter-finals play-offs will be contested in a best of three format with the winners advancing to the semis.

Both Kenya Prisons and KCB will be looking to extend their reign to three years in a row. The Warders who finished second in the regular season with 35 points will take on Kenya Forest Services who were seventh with 21 points.

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Prisons are the better side going into the match having won 12 and lost two matches in addition to holding the bragging rights.

KFS on the other hand go into the tie as an average side after registering an equal number of wins and losses. They won seven matches to beat eight other teams and qualify for the play-offs.

Former champions General Service Unit (GSU) who are looking to end their two-year trophy drought will be looking to build on their brilliant regular season run that saw them top the table with 39 points from 13 wins and one defeat.

They will clash with the Kenya Airport Police Unit who were eighth with 20 points. GSU are determined to recapture the title they lost to Kenya Prisons in 2023.

The quarter-finals top of the bill clash will pit Elisha Aliwa-coached Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and Patrick Owino’s Equity Bank. The two finished fourth and fifth on the standings with one victory and three points separating them.

Both sides have shown that they are strong contenders for this season’s trophy with KDF garnering 34 points from 11 wins and three defeats while Equity had 31 points from 10 wins and four losses.

Kenya Ports Authority will battle it out with Trailblazers for semi-finals spot. The Dockers have had a great season winning 12 out of 14 to finish third with 34 points whereas Trailblazers finished sixth with 25.

In the women’s contest, holders KCB Bank will face off with KDF in the last match of the day. The bankers will be out to win their first two matches and remain on course to retaining their title.

KCB captain Edith Wisa exuded confidence saying they are ready for KDF which is equally a good side.

“We have demonstrated that we are the best volleyball club in the country. We have trained well and are ready for the task ahead,” Wisah said.

KCB finished third with 26 points from eight wins and two losses while KDF was sixth with 15 having won five and lost five.

Former champions Kenya Pipeline who were second on the standings after winning nine and losing one will take on Prisons Nairobi who were seventh.

Kenya Prisons who topped the table with 27 points will play Kenya Army with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations locking horns with Postbank.

TODAY’S FIXTURES PLAY-OFF FIXTURES

Men (Kasarani Indoor Arena)

Kenya Prisons v KFS (9am)

GSU v KAPU (11am)

KDF v Equity Bank (1pm)

KPA v Trailblazers (3pm)

Women (Nyayo Gymnasium)

Kenya Pipeline v Prisons Nairobi (9am)

Kenya Prisons v Kenya Army (11am)

DCI v Postbank (1pm)

KCB v KDF (3pm)