Malkia's match to world championships on the right path

Coach Paul Bitok has noted great improvement with his charges', Malkia Strikers, performance as the team continues to ready for the World Championships. 

The team in Brazil for an FIVB-sponsored training camp marked their third victory in the nine friendly matches played thus far played, picking a straight-sets victory against Vinhedo Volleyball Club. 

Reception headache for Bitok ahead of FIVB World Championships

Malkia won their sets 28-26, 25-13 and 25-23. This follows their 3-1 and 3-0 wins over CDE Bradesco and Sesi Sorocaba respectively.

Bitok noted improvement on reception which has been the team's main undoing and the tactician's headache ahead of the 23 September championship serve off. 

"The left players and liberos have gotten better I reception and that is a step in the right direction as we have about a month to prepare. Our attacks are getting stronger as are our services.

There was good coordinationin setting and the blocking. The players reamined focused throughout the game ," Bitok explained after the match. 

However, the tactician beleives there is a big room for growth as the championship approaches and beyond. 

"As far as preparations for the championship goes, we still have work to do. Our target services are not where we would want and so are our three metre attacks.

Our back court defence was caught napping on several occasions which we can't risk happening in the championship. We also lost few points on the net touches which should be worked on," added Bitok. 

The side is ing group A that also had European champions Italy, hosts Netherlands, African champions Cameroon, Belgium and Puerto Rico.

Coach Bitok and his charges have the herculean task of chasing not just the second victory at that stage for the team but making it past the group stage which has been a target for the Kenyan side at this year's championship. 

At the last edition of the volleyball global showpiece in 2018, the team won their first ever match at the World Championship with a 3-0 win over Group D minnows, Kazakhstan.