Malkia Strikers edge Tunisia to qualify for semis

Experience came through for national women's volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, as they faced Tunisia in their third match at the ongoing CAVB Africa Nations Championships to pick a straight-sets victory 3-0(25-20, 25-19, 25-21) against the North Africans. 

Tunisia was considered the second threat for Kenya after Cameroon at the group stage and this victory restores hopes of Kenya fighting for the title as the players proved too tough for the hard-fighting Tunisians.

The Paul Bitok-coached side heads to the remaining match against Burundi on Thurday 16 September, buoyed by this victory and ready to cement their place in the semis set for Saturday 18 September. 

Bitok, prior to today's match had intimated that they would be in uncharted waters against Tunisia as he had not had the opportunity to play the team before. 

Malkia Strikers eye semis berth in Africa Nations Championship

Tunisia had the advantage of the perfect start, settling right on the whistle to bag point after another and head to the first Technical Timeout (TTO) leading Kenya 8-3. 

The starting line-up of skipper Mercy Moim, Leonida Kasaya, Gladys Ekaru, Edith Wisah, Sharon Chepchumba, Pamela Masaisai with Agripina Kundu on libero duties clawed their way up from a six-point deficit (10-4) to level the score at 11 points and assume lead at 12-11 and lead 16-14 at the second TTO. 

The difference extended to seven points at 22-15 but the East Africans were complacent, allowing Tunisia to score five and get to 20 before recovering to win 25-20. 

In the second set, Malkia led by a single point in the first TTO, having celebrated early twice, to cost themselves two points in a case of counting their chicks before they hatched. 

Malkia extended the advantage to three points at 12-9 prompting Tunisia to head for a timeout that did little to change Malkia's momentum as they led 16-11 at the second TTO and went on to win the set 25-19. 

The third set was closely fought, Malkia starting off on the wrong footing with a miss-servuve to hift Tunisia the first point. Bitok's charges found themselves chasing the game from there on as the opponent went to the first official break with a one-point advantage. 

The score was tied at nine points and against at 11 points as Malkia continued playing catch-up. They assumed lead at 15-14 and managed to head to the second TTO with a two-point lead. Tunisia were again brilliant, leveling the score at 17 points but Malkia pulled away for a 25-21 victory.