2015 FIVB Women's World Cup: Malkia Strikers' dismal showing continues

Kenya's Malkia Strikers take a time-out during their FIVB Women's World Cup Second leg match against USA in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. [PHOTO:FIVB]

Malkia Strikers' dismal performance in the ongoing 2015 FIVB Women's World Cup continued after suffering a 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-13) defeat by World defending champions, the United States, in the opening match of the second round of the competition, at Momotaro Arena in Okayama, Japan, yesterday.

The Americans have won four matches in a row following an upset full set loss to Serbia and improved their overall win-loss record at this World Cup to 5-1. It is also the first time since 2003 that the United States are registering four successive wins at the World Cup.

While on the other hand, Kenya have not won a single match since the 12-team round robin tournament began.

American's Nicole Fawcett bagged the Most Impressive Player award after scoring 16 points for the United States with Megan Easy adding 14 through 13 kills and one block. Prisons Kenya left attacker Mercy Moim was Kenya's highest scorer with eight points.

 

SUSTAINED INJURY

The Americans outplayed the nine-time African champions 45-24 and out-blocked them 9-2. Head coach David Lung'aho had to bring in Kenya Pipeline setter Janet Wanja in the second set after Chamallieres setter Jane Wacu sustained an injury.

Kenya face China in their next round two match this morning.

Meanwhile, the youthful Kenya women's national team left for Congo Brazzaville last Friday for next month's All Africa Games.

Speaking before departure, assistant coach Joseph Baraza said he is confident the junior team will replicate Malkia Strikers' recent performance at the World Grand Prix.

"The senior team, currently at the World Cup event in Japan, set a good pace during the World Grand Prix event , so we will be out to replicate their performance," said Baraza, who is also Prisons Kenya assistant coach.

"Our main objective is to win all our group matches and see what happens from there. We have trained well and players are in good spirits ahead of the bonanza."

 KENYA SQUAD 

Joy Luseneka, Rose Magoi, Edith Wisa, Loice Tarus, Violet Makuto, Joan Chelagat, Leonida Kasaya, Esther Mwombe, Naomi Too, Gaudencia Makokha and Judith Taru