Makuto, Kundu look forward to Grand Prix debut

VOLLEYBALL WOMEN TEAM Malkia Volleyball queens during training at Nyayo national stadium on tuesday, May 10, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Kenya Pipeline Violet Makuto and Agrippina Kundu are delighted with the chance of making their World Grand Prix (Group Two) debuts in this year's tournament in Tucuman, Argentina.

Makuto, who recently won the best blocker award at the African Club Championship in Tunis, replaced veteran Kenya Prisons right-attacker Lydia Maiyo, while Kundu, the 2014 Kenya Volleyball Federation National League libero of the year, was picked at the expense of long-serving libero Elizabeth Wanyama.

Maiyo and Wanyama were part of the gallant Malkia Strikers team that won last year's Grand Prix Group Three title in Canberra, Australia and subsequently earned Kenya a Group Two promotion. Also missing from the historic team is Pipeline middle-blocker Ruth Jepng'etich, who is still recuperating from a back injury.

Makuto, a younger sister of Evelyn and Asha Makuto, said she cannot wait to make her debut.

"It is an awesome feeling and I am happy my hard work has finally earned me the recall. I am prepared and ready to help my team do well in Argentina. Playing in Grand Prix will be a good experience for me. I cannot wait to get back out there with the rest of the girls. We are looking forward to a great tournament," said Makuto.

Her club-mate, Agrippina Kundu is similarly excited ahead of the matches to be held on June 3.

"It is a dream of every player to wear the national colours, but frankly, this call came as a surprise. But since I am in the team, I must work hard," said Kundu.