Kenya's national volleyball team Malkia Strikers spike to Grand Prix final

FIVB GRAND PRIX
Malkia Strikers attacker Ruth Jepngetich spikes the ball against Australia during the Grand Prix semi-final match in Canberra on July 11. Kenya won the match 3-1 to book a slot in the finals. PHOTO: FIVB

Kenya's national volleyball team Malkia Strikers booked their place in the gold medal play-off match at the Group 3 Grand Prix finals with a 3-1 (18-25, 25-16, 25-20, 25-14) win over home team Australia in Canberra, on Saturday.

The Kenyans will now take on Peru for the gold medal and for a place in Group Two in the Grand Prix matches next year.

This was the first time Kenya was reaching the final round of the Grand Prix as they failed to make it last year in their debut season. Yesterday victory over Australia was, however, not an easy feat as the home team started well.

The African champions had beaten the Australians in straight sets in the second round of the Group 3 matches in Algeria but the hosts were a different proposition infront of their home fans yesterday.

Kenya captain, Brackcides Khadambi said: "It was not us in the first set, I think it was someone else playing. Our coach told us to compose ourselves and take every point step-by-step.

"We didn't see Karley Hynes in Algeria, but we saw her today and we had planned for other players. I think she took us by surprise.

"Tomorrow (today) if we just receive well I think it will be a tough match. Everyone home is going to be very happy, especially our sponsor and our chairman."

Coach David Lungaho said: "We were not playing the way we should not be playing, because we saw new players on the court that we were not expecting.

"Our players are very fast and have good speed, and the Australians are not fast, so I knew if we composed ourselves we could win.

"We have to plan carefully for Peru. They played badly in the second round in Mexico, played better in Peru, but today I think they were top class."

Australian captain, Shae Sloane said: "It was the best build up we'd had before any games on the tour, and we were fired up to play in front of our home crowd.

"Kenya came out and played really well in that second set and we weren't ready to go with them. That's something that will come with more training."