New Nyanza region secondary schools boys’ volleyball champions St Joseph’s Kisumu will hope to replicate the heroics of former champions Mogonga PAG and Sengera SDA when the national Term Two games get underway in Nakuru on Thursday.
St Joseph’s coach Dan Oduor said: “The story of Mogonga and Sengera inspires us. They went to nationals on their debut and won the titles. We are also going for nationals to win. We have what it takes.”
Oduor was in charge of the team in 2019 when they lost by straight sets to Mogonga PAG in Kisumu. Mogonga went ahead to bag the national title.
“We have been training for the last three years. Even during the Covid-19 break, we continued training and I'm confident we shall do well at the nationals,” he said.
St Joseph’s defeated Sagegi 3-1 (25-20, 17-25, 25-23, 25-16) to lift the regional title at Asumbi Teachers Training College. Mogonga and Sengera, who had their title-winning principals moved, did not feature at the county level.
Mogonga's Haron Onchong’a was transferred to Nyameru in Nyamira while and Sengera's Enosh Nyambego is at losing finalists Sageg.
The championships' surprise package was Nyakongo Secondary from Siaya County. They upset defending champions Nyakach Girls 3-2 (25-27, 25-23, 25-17, 22-25, 15-8) to lift the regional title on their debut.
Coach Alfonse Ogema said: “This is a team to watch. This is our first time playing from the zonal to the regional level. The team comprises mostly of Form One and Two students. When we came for the regionals, our target was to reach the final. Winning the title is a bonus.”
“I want girls to go there and enjoy themselves. I want them to gain experience but our dream is to play at the East Africa games. The competition will be stiff and that’s why I don’t want to put the girls under any pressure.”
He said his girls will learn from volleyball powerhouses Cheptil High from Rift Valley and Kwanthanze from Eastern.
The team is inspired by the captain Nivah Naliaka, Faith Wanjala, Elizabeth Omondi, Devinah Adhiambo and Margaret Naliaka.
At the same time, Nyakach Girls and St Mary’s School, Yala will represent Nyanza in 3x3 basketball format. The game was introduced in schools this year.