Boys' volleyball action between Chesamis (in white) and Matiliku/ANGWENYI GICHANA.Defending champions Kwanthanze Girls will renew their fierce rivalry with Kesogon in the girls’ volleyball semi-finals at the ongoing KCB Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Term Two Games in Thika.
Kwanthanze, who are both the national and Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) champions, booked their place in the last four after defeating Wajir Girls in straight sets 25-7, 25-2, 25-10.
They finished second in their pool after suffering an opening-day defeat to St Martha’s Mwitoti. Kesogon advanced as unbeaten group winners after sweeping aside Mwanambeyu 3-0 (25-7, 25-19, 25-7).
Kesogon coach Tom Marani expects another closely fought encounter between the two perennial rivals. “It’s like a final before the real final. These are teams that have faced each other several times. It’s an unpredictable game, but for Kesogon we are going for a win,” said Marani.
The second girls’ semi-final will pit St Martha’s Mwitoti against Nairobi’s Soweto Academy. Mwitoti eased past Kahuro 3-0 (25-6, 25-11, 25-12), while Soweto staged a remarkable comeback to edge Nyanza champions St Cecilia Aluor 3-2 (16-25, 25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 16-14) in one of the tournament’s most thrilling quarter-finals.
In the boys’ competition, impressive debutants AIC Chepsaita will take on Matiliku Boys, while Chesamis High School face Nyanza champions Masara Mixed in the other semi-final.
Chepsaita continued their dominant run with a commanding 3-0 (25-6, 25-5, 25-7) victory over Furaha High School. Matiliku progressed despite a 3-1 loss to Chesamis, while Masara secured their place with a hard-fought 3-1 (25-17, 19-25, 25-10, 25-21) win.
Chepsaita coach Jason Kwalia believes his side can cap an outstanding debut campaign with the title. “We have not dropped a set since the zonal games. We want to continue with the good run,” said Kwalia.
In netball, Bukokholo will face Kinale Girls in one semi-final, while three-time champions Kaya Tiwi take on Andersen Mixed of Rift Valley in the other.
A new champion will be crowned after defending champions Oyugi Ogango were eliminated during the Nyanza regional championships.
The basketball 3x3 semi-finals will also produce exciting match-ups. In the boys’ category, Agoro Sare will play debutants Kaya Tiwi, while St Mary’s School Yala face St Peter’s Mumias.
Agoro Sare reached the last four with a 21-8 win over Shimo la Tewa, Yala beat Dagoretti 14-10, and St Peter’s Mumias edged Mang’u High School 18-16.
In the girls’ competition, St Joseph’s Girls Kitale stunned Kaya Tiwi 21-9, Ikutha Girls narrowly beat Tigoi 12-11, Nairobi’s Olympic defeated Asumbi Girls 14-10, while Cheptil overcame St Joseph’s Tuk Jowi 17-13 to complete the semi-final lineup.
