FIVB 2022 WC: Belgium compounds Kenya to second defeat

The national women’s indoor volleyball team Malkia Strikers was again on the receiving end at the ongoing FIVB 2022 World Championships in the Netherlands and Poland as they lost 3-0 to their counterparts from Belgium on Sunday.

At a relatively packed Gelerdome Arena in Arnhem the Netherlands, the Kenyan queens were again undone by poor receptions and blocking to lose their second match in Pool A 25:15, 25:14, 25:11.

Kenya lost its opener on Friday to the Netherlands by straight sets and are now forced to wait a bit longer for only the country’s second win at the global showpiece.

Cameroon next

Luizomar de Moura’s charges will face off against African rivals Cameroon in their next outing on Tuesday.

Just like in the game against the Dutch, the record African champions were again dominated in every statistical category by their opponents with Belgium leading in Kills 39:26, Blocks 6:4, Aces 7:0 and Opponent Errors 23:10.

Sharon Chepchumba led Kenya’s attack with 13 points for a 15% efficiency. The Outside Attacker, who plies her trade for KCB, ranked second in the game for most points won with Belgium’s Britt Herbots leading the way with 16.

Experienced Left Attacker Noel Murambi managed five points with Captain Mercy Moim chipping in with four.

Pool A standings

Belgium now goes top in Pool A with six points, leapfrogging the Netherlands who play later on Sunday against Cameroon. Gert Van de Broek’s team beat Puerto Rico by straight sets on Saturday.

After Sunday’s loss, Kenya is ranked fifth in the pool, edging bottom-placed Cameroon by having scored more points (79) than the reigning African champion’s 38.

Italy is the other nation in the group and they play Puerto Rico on Monday. The reigning European champions also began their tournament with a straight sets win over Cameroon.

There are four groups of six teams each with the top four nations at the end of the first round progressing to the second stage. Two more groups will be formulated in the second round with the top four teams again progressing now to the quarter-finals.

Kenya has never progressed past the first round in six previous World Championships.

Below is the squad that is doing duty in the Netherlands;

LEFT ATTACKERS

1. Mercy Moim
2. Noel Murambi
3. Meldinah Sande
4. Veronica Adhiambo

MIDDLE BLOCKERS

1. Edith Wisa
2. Gladys Ekaru
3. Lorine Chebet
4. Belinda Barasa

SETTERS

1. Emmaculate Nekesa
2. Veronica Kilabat

 OPPOSITE ATTACKERS

1. Sharon Chepchumba
2. Everline Makuto

LIBERO

1. Agripina Kundu
2. Yvonne Wavinya

• 2022 FIVB World Championships
• Malkia strikers
• National women’s volleyball team