NO PAIN, NO GAIN: U23 national team attacker Wavinya fights through pain to lead team to world event

Kenya Team silver medalist Winners of the Women's U23 African Nations Championship Ranking at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday, Oct 27, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Kenya U23 right attacker Yvonne Wavinya says she had to shake off a finger injury to inspire the national women’s volleyball team to a second-place finish.

Wavinya was instrumental in the win over Rwanda at the just-concluded Africa Nations U23 Women’s Championships at the Kasarani Gymnasium.

The youthful Prisons Kenya attacker was a joy to watch as she put up a sparkling performance in Kenya’s 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 25-19) victory over Rwanda on Thursday evening earning her the tournament’s best attacker award.

The two teams came into this match tied on points (six) and both had equal chance of qualifying for next year’s World U23 Championship in Slovenia.

But being a dependable player with so much on her shoulders, there is no way Wavinya could have been side-lined for the remaining sets with a finger-injury she sustained midway through the second set.

Her injury saw Kenya lose the second set 23-25 to Paul Bitok’s trained side.

However, after medical attention, Wavinya managed to get back to the court, stepped up with a hurt finger and propelled the hosts to the crucial win.

“I felt very bad when I got off with an injury because I was like the pillar of the team.

“You could see everybody was demoralised, it somehow affected our performance and we ended up losing that set,” Wavinya told Feverpitch.

“The finger was painful, but it was more hurting to sit outside watching my team struggle without me. I pleaded with the medics to do anything possible to reduce the pain and allow me back to the court.

“I had to persevere and sacrifice for the team and country. There is no way the injury could have stopped me from helping my team. This was like a final to both teams.

“My teammates had lost hope. All the same, I am happy we managed to win as a team and we are now looking forward to good performance in Slovenia.”

Kenya coach Catherine Mabwi admitted that Wavinya’s injury cost them the second set.

“Wavinya is one of our key players. Her injury was a big blow to us, it cost us the second set. However, after medical attention she came back stronger and determined. I am proud of her because she carried the team when it mattered most,” said Mabwi.

The hard fought victory earned Kenya a ticket to represent the continent at next year’s World U23 Championship.

They will travel to Slovenia alongside champions Egypt.