Africa-Press – Kenya. Mary Juma, Phanice Nekesa and Josephine Kata have been added to the KCB Volleyball Club squad ahead of the Kipchumba Karori Eldoret International Volleyball Tournament.
The trio is stepping up directly from high school volleyball as the Ruaraka-based side seeks to reinforce itself.
Juma, an 18-year-old outside hitter from Butere Girls, is joined by 19-year-old opposite attacker Nekesa from Kesogon Mixed Secondary School and 18-year-old libero Kata from Kwanthanze High School, continuing a pathway KCB has relied on for years to transition school talent into top-flight competition.
The approach mirrors last year’s tournament when KCB introduced Merlyn Terry Tata and Fridah Boke, fresh from their final exams. Boke won the best setter award while Tata claimed the best outside hitter at the inaugural edition.
Under the head coach Japheth Munala and assistant coach David Hinga, the technical bench has maintained a clear focus on identifying and developing young players. The recruits are expected to add energy as KCB target a return to the top of the league standings and a successful title defence.
The Kipchumba Karori Eldoret tournament starts on Friday to Sunday at the Eldoret National Polytechnic, featuring over 170 teams from Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan, with winners set to pocket Sh1 million.
Several elite clubs from across the region are confirmed for the elite category at the Kipchumba Karori Eldoret, with defending champions Equity Bank and national champions Kenya Pipeline among those set to compete.
Additionally, runners-up DCI and Kenya Prisons in the women’s bracket, while on the men’s side, sides like Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), GSU and other African Club Championship qualifiers will test their mettle as part of a 16-team elite field at the Eldoret National Polytechnic grounds.
Head coach Japheth Munala said the team was encouraged by the response following the opening loss. “We have started well this season. On Friday, we made a strong start but faced a tough challenge from Kenya Prisons. On Sunday, the ladies showed great character and won all the sets. This response is encouraging, and we hope to maintain the momentum as we go to defend the title in Eldoret,” said Munala.
