THE CHOSEN FEW: Lung’aho names national FIVB Grand Prix squad

Kenya Prisons’ middle blocker Edith Wisa has finally landed a call to the national volleyball women’s senior team.

A graduate of the National junior side, Wisa made the cut when Coach David Lung’aho named his final team of 12 for the 2014 FIVB World Grand Prix Championship in Nairobi yesterday.

The rising centre player joins the senior team just months after playing in the under-23 FIVB World Championships in Mexico last year.
Wisa, who is former student and captain of Lugulu High School, made her global debut when she played for Prisons against Volero Zurich of Switzerland in a FIVB World Club Championships match in Zurich in October last year.

“My childhood dream was to play volleyball at the highest level possible, and my inclusion in the Grand Prix squad is a step in the right direction,” an excited Wisa told FeverPitch in Nairobi yesterday.

“I’m happy to make the final squad and I hope to train hard and wear the National senior team colours for the first time during the Grand Prix Circuit,” she said.

While naming his final squad, Lung’aho is evidently leaving nothing to chance as he has gone purely for experience.

Wisa is the only player in the squad who has not played for the national team.

Kenya Pipeline’s left attacker Noel Murambi and Lydia Maiyo are back in the team after staying out due to various reasons.

Besides Wisa, Murambi and Maiyo, all other players are regular members of the National side and their recent competition was the 2014 FIVB World Championships African Qualifiers in Nairobi last April.

Maiyo has been out of the team for slightly over one year after she went on maternity leave.

Her absence was strongly felt both by her club Prisons and the national team for the whole duration she was away.

Maiyo is a strong and skilful right attacker who can utilise her height (185cm) to penetrate opponents’ defenses with accuracy.

Lung’aho still has a lot of faith in his long-serving setters Janet Wanja of Pipeline and Jane Wacu.

Maiyo is expected to strengthen the right position where Esther Wangeci will also offer valuable support.

Hard hitters Everlyne Makuto, Monica Biama, Muramba and Mercy Moim will attack from the left antenna with experienced and long-serving captain Bracksides Agala and Ruth Jepleting standing tall in centre position supported by Wisa.

Acrobatic libero Elizabeth Nafula will play the defensive role while at same time resting tired teammates.

Four players who were dropped from the team of 16 are left attacker Gaudencia Makokha, centre Triza Atuka; setter Joy Lusanaka and libero Agripina Kundu.

Lung’aho said the players would be considered for future assignments.

“All the players we’ve left out are still members of the National team and they will get an opportunity to represent the country in future competitions,” said Lung’aho.

The National team departs on July 21 for Mexico where they will play first-round matches before moving to Croatia.

—opilipili@standardmedia.co.ke

THE SQUAD

Janet Wanja, Jane Wacu (setters), Lydia Maiyo, Esther Wangeci (right attackers); Mercy Moim, Everlyne Makuto, Monica Biama, Noel Murambi (left attackers), Brackcides Agala, Ruth Jepngetich, Edith Mukuvilani (centres), Elizabeth Nafula (libero).