Pooled in group B alongside National Alcohol (NAL) of Ethiopia, Nyong Et Kelle Volleyball Dames of Cameroon and Asac Salitique of Senegal, the Japheth Munala-led side beat all to top the pool.
Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) women volleyball team's technical director Paul Bitok says there's no time to celebrate their stellar performance in the group stage at the ongoing CAVB Club Championships in Tunisia.
The national team tactician has urged his charges, who are out to defend the title they won last year to remain focused as the competition will now get tougher and any slip ups could see them eliminated.
"I am happy with the team's performance so far but there's more to come. We have shifted focus on the knock-out stage where we are likely to meet a team from Senegal or Nigeria.
The approach remains the same, we treat each opponent with respect and play our game. We are here to defend the title and so far the mix of experience and is working perfectly," Bitok said after the team completed their group matches undefeated.
Pooled in group B alongside National Alcohol (NAL) of Ethiopia, Nyong Et Kelle Volleyball Dames of Cameroon and Asac Salitique of Senegal, the Japheth Munala-led side beat all to top the pool.
They racked up a convincing 3-0 (25-7, 25-20, 25-16) win over Cameroon's Nyong Et Kelle Volleyball Dames in their first Pool B fixture before dismissing National Alcohol of Ethiopia 3-0 (25-20, 25-12, 25-9) .
In their last match of the group, the Kenyan side lived up to their champion status as they picked another straight-sets victory against the Senegalese outfit in sets of 25 -11, 25 -13 and 25-15.
"The young players are being introduced slowly as they need time to adjust to this level of competition. The combinations ate working well so far.
I am impressed by Esther Mutinda's performance. Her setting has really changed the game for our team and we are now player quicker on attack. Reception has also been well taken care of as that has been a problematic area in our game," Bitok added.
KCB are seeking back-to-back titles in the continental showpiece which started in Tunisia on Friday.
Last year, the bankers defeated Al-Ahly of Egypt to bag the Africa women’s title in a match that former player Sharon Chepchumba played a key role.
Meanwhile, national champions Kenya Pipeline have also won two of their three pool matches and are expected to finish top of their group when they play their third pool match on Wednesday.
In Monday's match, the second in the pool, Paul Gitau's charges picked a 3-1 (25 – 21, 20 – 25, 25 – 18, 25 - 21) over MCA of Algeria tk remain unbeaten.
In the men’s competition ongoing in the same country, Kenya's only representative Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) bounced back to winning ways after a disappointing 3-2 loss to Joa of Algeria in their last outing.
Up against Senegal's ISEG, the Sammy Mulinge-coached side won 3-1 (25-19, 25-22, 20-25, 25-20).