Malkia Strikers setter, Janet Wanja in action in their match against USA on August 30. PHOTO/Courtesy
JAPAN, August 30 – Kenya failed to get better in the second round of the FIVB Women’s World Cup after succumbing to a 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-13) rout to Champions USA on Sunday.
The Malkia Strikers have been unable to collect a win in six tries in the 12-team round robin tournament to remain rooted at the bottom of the log alongside fellow Africans Algeria who are also winless.
Head coach, David Lung’aho said his charges showed some improvement in the match where attacker, Mercy Moim was beaten to the top scorers chart by American, Nicole Fawcett who collected 16 against eight.
“I think today’s match was good because my team played a very strong team. We have a lot of respect for USA and I have a lot of respect for the coach who I can admit is somebody I really wanted to see.
“When I was young, I really enjoyed the way he was playing. He’s my idol and I’m happy to be sitting next to him. As a team, we did our best, though our best was not good enough, but it’s something we can learn from,” Lung’aho declared.
He added, “For us, the positives we take from this match are more important than the result. We will continue fighting. We know we are a developing team and we’re not going to lose hope.”
Skipper Bracksides Agala said, “I want to congratulate USA on winning 3-0. For my team, we didn’t display a very good game, especially blocking and back defence, but sometimes we played really good.
“We’ll keep on fighting and will not lose hope. I know a win is near. Tomorrow (against China), our goal is to play well and improve our playing skills. We know China is strong, but we won’t give up. This is volleyball; the better you play, you will win, so tomorrow we will put in a big effort.”
The American head coach, USA coach Karch Kiraly congratulated Kenya for their fighting spirit.
“We don’t often get to play Kenya in World Cups and rarely in between. I want to congratulate them. I really love the spirit that they play the game with. They play a game where they obviously enjoy what they’re doing and they have a great fighting spirit.”
The American overwhelmed the African Champions in attack with 45 spikes over Kenya’s 24 and also outblocked them 9-2 to win their four matches in a row following an upset full set loss to Serbia.
Kenya face China in their seventh fixture on Monday hoping to win their maiden match in the global showpiece where the top two teams will qualify for the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
