Reality check: Kenya seek to bounce back against Puerto Rico today as Serbia clash with Brazil

Kenya's Violet Makuto (left) challenges Tijana Malesevic during their FIVB World Cup match at Hamamatsu, Japan, on Sunday September 30, 2018. [FIVB]

Top-ranked Serbia thrash Malkia Strikers a day after the Kenyans had recorded a historic win over Kazakhstan.

National women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, found the going tough in Japan yesterday, suffering a humiliating straight sets defeat of 25-16, 25-9 and 25-8 to Serbia in their second Group D match of the 2018 World Championship at the Hamamatsu Arena.

The nine-time African champions, who thrashed Kazakhstan 3-0 in day one’s fixture, have a chance to revive their second round qualification hopes when they clash with Puerto Rico this morning (10.10am).

Jovana Stevanovic starred for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games losing finalists, picking up nine points, two more than Kenya’s top points scorer captain Mercy Moim.

Kenya gave their best, but couldn’t replicate their Saturday’s performance against a well-oiled Serbian side.

And by his own admission, head coach Japheth Munala said the East Africans completely collapsed after losing the first set.

“We knew Serbia was good. The first set we played okay and then started going down in the second set. In the third set I had to change the players because they were getting tired for no good reason,” said Munala.

Munala’s sentiments were echoed by his influential captain Mercy Moim: “ We played our game but Serbia was stronger and better. They were blocking our attacks and that is why we lost.”

Middle-blocker Edith Wisa said: “We gave our best, but we must admit Serbia  is one of the top teams in the world. We still have a chance to make it to the second round.”

But for Serbia coach Zoran Terzic, the victory was a morale booster ahead of today’s 1.20pm crunch tie against fancied Brazil.

“The game was like we expected. We played good enough to win. We gave all our players the chance tonight in preparation for tomorrow’s match with Brazil. That will be a big challenge as they are one of the best teams in the world,” said Terzic.

The higher-ranked Serbia capitalised on Malkia’s poor blocks and receptions to easily run away with their second win of the tournament.

Both teams served poorly in the first set before Serbia took control and went ahead 16-10 at the second Technical Time Out courtesy of Milena Rasic’s spike. They went on to claim the set 25-16.

Just like the first set,  Serbia took an 8-4 lead at the first TTO following a service ace by Tijana Malesevic as their attackers tore Kenyan back court defence apart with their powerful spikes.

After a 16-6 lead at the second TTO, Serbia ran off six consecutive points forcing Kenya to commit errors and eventually grabbed the set 25-9.

It was a walk in the park for the Serbians in the third set as they established a 9-1 lead. They cruised the rest of the way to pocket the set 25-8.

Serbia captain Maja Ognejenovic said: “They (kenya) fought really well. They controlled our serve early. It was good tonight because we could use all 14 players. We are prepared for tomorrow’s (today) match with  Brazil.”