Malkia Strikers leave for Netherlands after mixed results in Serbia build-up
There will be plenty of talking points for National women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers who concluded their week long stay in Belgrade, Serbia as they head to Netherlands today for the Women’s World Championships set to run from September 23 to October 15 in the Dutch country.
On Sunday the Kenyan ladies won in straight-sets (25-18,25-20,25-11) over Serbian national team B, their final preparation match.
The Luizomar de Moura-coached side bounced back from a a 3-0 loss to Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade on Saturday, the eleven-time African champions needed something to boost their morale for the battle ahead.
Kenyans are hoping of breaking the ceiling at this year’s World championships by reaching the second round for the first time in seven appearances. Kenya will begin their Pool A campaign against the hosts on Friday.
“It’s always tricky playing against a team that you haven’t watched playing or analysed because you don’t know what to expect. However, today our reception was good but we struggled in back court defence and attack,” noted Moim, Kenya’s most experienced player.
“Another big concern is our finishing. We have been playing well even in the friendly matches in Brazil but we crack when it matters most. It’s something that we need to solve by identifying the players who can handle pressure during such moments,” Moim said after Saturday defeat.
Coach Moura trusted the same starting line up he had for the Red Star Belgrade match on Saturday with skipper Moim, Lorine Chebet, Noel Murambi, Edith Wisah, Sharon Chepchumba and Emmaculate Nekesa on the floor, Agripina Kundu maintained her libero role.
The Kenyan side started the match on a high, taking the lead at 8-3 forcing the Serbian coach to have a talk with his charges in an attempt to have them settled into the match.
A great fighting spirit from Malkia Strikers gave a different impression of the team that cracked at crucial moments against Red Star as they stretched their advantage to seven points at 14-7 and then 16-10.
Veronica Adhiambo came in for Chebet with the scores at 18-12 and the Serbian side showing real signs of a comeback at 18-14, forcing Moura to call for timeout.
The Serbian youngsters tried to mount a comeback but the difference was way out of reach as they lost the set 25-18
The Serbians cut the deficit to 10-7 and the Brazilian tactician felt the need to rest Chumba and Nekesa for Violet Makuto and Veronica Kilabat who pushed the score to 13-8 before the other duo could return.
Despite the scoreline, Malkia Strikers were quilty of going soft with their attacks on numerous occasions which made the Kenyan coaches quite unsettled and could be heard shouting instructions from the bench.
Kenya led 16-14 as Adhiambo was back on the floor for Moim, gifting Moura’s charges two points off of her services for 18-14.
Moim got back on the floor at 19-17, Kenya having needed a timeout before the change to put their house in order as the Serbians looked set for a comeback.
The difference was down to one at 20-19 and level at 20 after a terrible reception that saw the ball land on the stands.
Moura’s charges found their mojo back and took the score to 22-20 and not even a Serbian timeout could stop Malkia as they won the set 25-20 and the third they won 25-11.
