Girls' Volleyball action between St Cecilia Aluor (in blue) against Kesogon Mixed/ANGWENYI GICHANA

National girls’ volleyball champions Kwanthanze suffered a shock 3-1 defeat as the KCB Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national games got underway in Thika on Sunday.

Mwitoti, the Western Region champions, dropped the opening set 22-25 before staging a remarkable comeback to take the next three 25-20, 25-14, 25-22, pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the opening day.

Meanwhile, former national and East Africa champions Kesogon launched their title bid on a winning note at the M-Pesa Foundation Academy. Kesogon, whose aim is to reclaim the national crown, dispatched Nyanza’s St. Cecilia Aluor Girls’ 3-0 (25-20, 27-25, 25-16) in their opening match.

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In other girls’ volleyball fixtures, Kaburo Girls’ swept Wajir Girls’ 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-21), while tournament regulars Soweto Academy cruised to a comfortable 3-0 (25-8, 25-4, 25-15) victory over Mwanambeyu.

In rugby 7s, Upper Hill School begin their national championship quest against All Saints Embu on Monday. Upper Hill coach Eustace Sifuna said the team aims to make history by completing a double.

“Our target is to be champions in both rugby formats, a feat which we achieved exactly 10 years ago,” he said.

The day’s second rugby 7s fixture features an explosive matchup between Western champions Friends School Bokoli and Nyanza’s Friends School Anjego. Elsewhere, Nairobi School take on Njabini, St. Anthony’s Kitale face Kirangari and Rift Valley champions Laiser Hill Academy open their campaign against Tononoka High School.

Nyanza champions Cardinal Otunga Senior School, Mosocho, face a tough opener against Eastern region’s Kitondo School.

“The boys are ready for the challenge ahead,” said Cardinal Otunga coach Edwin Metobo. “We have had adequate preparations for the championships.”

In the girls’ rugby 7s category, defending champions Kinale Girls’ begin their title defence against Gituamba Girls’, while last year’s finalists St. Joseph’s Girls’ Kitale take on Mwatate Senior School.

Nyagechenche from Kisii face St. Teresa’s Kithimu from Eastern.

“We have had a good time here because we have rested and acclimatised,” said Nyagechenche coach Dennis Onyango. “We are ready for the championship.”