Ruthimitu Secondary School is preparing to defend its Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national volleyball championship at the upcoming Term Two Games, scheduled to begin on August 2 at the M-PESA Academy in Thika.
Head coach Gideon Njine, who also leads the national Under-20 volleyball team, expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to replicate their 2023 success despite being underestimated last year.
“We are ready for the championship. I remember in 2023 when people underrated us and we ended up winning. We are looking toward repeating the same feat,” Njine said.
Ruthimitu secured their place in the nationals after a 3-1 victory over Hospital Hill during the Nairobi regional finals in July. The team, known for their strong performances, won the 2023 national title by edging Andersen High School 3-2 in a thrilling five-set final.
The squad is currently focusing on improving areas that have previously challenged them, specifically blocking and back-court defense, with a strong emphasis on staying injury-free throughout the five-day tournament.
Ruthimitu opens their campaign against Malava Boys from Western region, followed by matches against Moi Forces Academy and Matiliku Boys, the Eastern region champions. Njine acknowledges the difficulty of their pool, describing it as a "pool of death," but remains optimistic about their chances.
“We are in a pool of death and we know Malava are national giants. However, we are going to give everything on the court,” he stated.
The Term Two Games volleyball competition will be a key indicator of Ruthimitu’s readiness to maintain their dominance in Kenyan secondary school volleyball.
