In a duel that almost took two and a half hours, KDF twice came from behind to tie the game 2-2, but GSU gathered themselves together to win the tie breaker 15-11.

The paramilitary men won in sets of 25-21, 25-22, 22-25, 25-10, 24-26, 15-10.

The first set was a see-saw affair between the two rivals, the scores remain tight and tied, until at 18-18. A series of errors on blocks by the KDF saw GSU take advantage, and they managed to take control of the duel, Joshua Kimaru and Nicholas Lagat’s steamy spikes getting them over the board.

But the Defense Forces charges managed to rally back and win the second set 25-22, before an opposite turn saw GSU take complete dominance and shutter their uniformed forces colleague to a 25-10 thrashing in the third set.

While they thought to have taken control of the game and would wrap it up in the fourth set, the army men were not about to let go easily as they took the game beyond the tape, winning 26-24.

They could however not sustain the rally in the tie breaker, which GSU won.

Meanwhile, Kenya Prisons picked up an easy three sets to one victory over Kenya Ports Authority in the late serve off. They won in 25-18, 25-21, 21-25 and 25-18.

On Tuesday, the second day of the trials, KDF takes on Prisons in what promises to be a scintillating duel while GSU clash with the dockers KPA.