Serbia hand Kenya’s Malkia Strikers third W. Cup loss
Kenya’s Malkia Strikers lost their third consecutive match in straight sets against Serbia at the World Cup Volleyball Championships in Hamamatsu and Yokohama in Japan yesterday. The Serbians easily won the first two sets in 25-13 and 25-11 before sealing it with a 25-17 victory in the final set to confine the Kenyan to their third consecutive defeat.
In all the three matches so far they have played, Malkia Strikers have not won a set, but their losing margins proves their fighting spirit.
The third loss was a set back to the Kenyan ladies, who are using the global championships to prepare for next year’s Tokyo Olympics, which will be also be hosted in Japan.
In her first match, Kenya was beaten by United States of America in straight sets of 25-14, 25-20 and 25-14 and fell to a similar set loss of 25-12, 25-19 and 25-17 against Netherlands.
Head Coach Paul Bitok said the matches have exposed his players in their different capacities to world giants. Bitok said he hoped mistakes they have already committed in the first matches will not be repeated.
“We have been beaten by the three teams and we have equally learnt our mistakes. The beauty is not to repeat the same mistakes in our next matches,” he told Standard Sports.
Kenya face former world champions Brazil tomorrow in their fourth match.
African champions Cameroon also lost their third consecutive match, going down to Dominican Republic, who defeated them 3-2 (25-17, 25-15, 23-25, 28-30, 15-10).
Cameroon’s set-margin-loses are better compared to Malkia Strikers’ who are yet to win a single set as opposed to the West Africans who won two of the five sets against Dominican Republic in yesterday’s match.
The West Africans lost their first match on straight sets against Russia in 25-14, 25-15 and 25-10 and thereafter lost by the same margin to world champions China in 25-18, 25-14 and 25-19.
Cameroon takes on Japan tomorrow at 19.20 hours, almost one and half hours after Kenya’s match against Brazil.
For More of This and Other Sports Stories Subscribe to the Standard Epaper
LATEST STORIES

Ertz named US Soccer female player of the year

I'd be on the roof if we win at Man United - Ferguson

Former Roland Garros champion Schiavone 'wins' cancer fight

Australian Barty named WTA Player of the Year

Tusker make light work of Wazito to go take league lead

Zico dedicates Harambee Stars win to suspended Kimanzi
- Australian Barty named WTA Player of the YearTennis 2 days ago
- Tusker make light work of Wazito to go take league leadSports 2 days ago
- Zico dedicates Harambee Stars win to suspended KimanziFootball 2 days ago
- Malkia Strikers promise to deliver Olympics slotVolleyball and Handball 2 days ago
- Gritty Thunder strike Ulinzi WarriorsBasketball 2 days ago
- Man United and Liverpool in transfer battle to sign Bayer Leverkusen talentPremier League 2 days ago
- Njoroge seeks back to back winsGolf 2 days ago