Reception headache for Bitok ahead of FIVB World Championships

National women's volleyball side Malkia Strikers continued their preparations for the upcoming FIVB Women’s World Championships with a win in their latest friendly match.  

However, coach Paul Bitok says the team's reception continues to be the main worry as the championship draws near. 

In their latest encounter, the team's eighth friendly match played in Sao Paulo against Bradesco, Kenya came from a set down to win 3 -1 ( 20 - 25, 25 - 22, 27 - 25, 25 - 21). 

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"The performance has been impressive and I am particularly impressed by the young players led by Veronica Adhiambo and Belinda Barasa. 

However, we are still struggling with reception. There is not much improvement. For long time, Kenyan teams have had that as the biggest problem. We are strong elsewhere especially in attack," expressed Bitok in an interview with Mozzart Sport. 

While the tactician maintains that this is a problem that can only be addressed fully and conclusively with training from the junior level, he is confident the team will get better before heading out to Poland. 

"We keep training hard using the service machine at our disposal. There is notable improvement but I am afraid we might not achieve the required percentage. 

To counter that, we are making sure to have good setting so that our attacks can be equally good. Our blocks and defence are in a good level at the moment and added with attacks, we can still challenge for victory," added Bitok. 

The tactician says the team's setting is at 60% perfection and there is room for improvement. Younsters Emmaculate Nekesa and Veronica Kilabat, relatively new to the national team carry Kenya's hopes of getting that right.

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"They are not badly off. They only need to get to 70% perfection by reducing errors. Most of the mistakes are being committed while under pressure which is understandable since they do not have the experience. However the friendly matches have come in handy," he offered.