The Malkia Strikers had come into this match on a high, having silenced African rivals Cameroon 3-0 on Tuesday and indeed gave everything against an Italy side who coasted to a fourth win on the trot in the pool.
The Kenya Women’s national volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, put up a battling performance but still went down 0-3 to Italy in Pool A action at the FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championships in Arhem, Netherlands on Thursday evening.
The Malkia Strikers had come into this match on a high, having silenced African rivals Cameroon 3-0 on Tuesday and indeed gave everything against an Italy side who coasted to a fourth win on the trot in the pool.
Sharon Chepchumba again top scored for Kenya, garnering a total of 17 points as the team went down in sets of 15-25, 23-25 and 17-25.
A win would have earned the team’s passage to the round of 16 and they now have one final roll at the dice when they take on Puerto Rico on Saturday, well aware that victory will see them through.
Malkia Strikers Results
0-3 v Netherlands ( Friday 23 September)
0-3 v Belgium (Sunday 25 September)
3-0 v Cameroon (Tuesday 27 September)
0-3 v Italy ( Thursday 29 September)
Malkia Strikers Fixtures (EAT)
01 October: v Puerto Rico – 5.00pm
Malkia Strikers squad:
Left Attackers: Mercy Moim, Noel Murambi, Meldinah Sande, Veronica Adhiambo
Middle Blockers: Edith Mukuvilani, Gladies Ekaru, Lorine Chebet, Belinda Barasa
Setters: Emmaculate Nekesa, Veronica Kilabat
Opposite Attackers: Sharon Chepchumba, Everlyne Makuto
Libero: Agrippina Kundu, Yvonne Wavinya