Malkia Strikers' World Championships squad named

Malkia Strikers head coach Luizomar de Moura has named a provisional squad for the World Championships set for 23 September to 15 October in Netherlands and Poland.

Kenya was placed in Pool A alongside arch-rivals Cameroon, hosts the Netherlands, European champions Italy, Belgium, and Puerto Rico during a virtual draw ceremony held at FIVB headquarters in Switzerland in March. 

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The Brazilian tactician has gone for a mix of youth and experience with some new faces that make the provisional team. Also returning is Kenya Pipeline's middle blocker Trizah Atuka who missed the last two assignments with injury. 

Kenya Prisons outside hitter Meldinah Sande, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) setter Veronica Kilabat and libero Veronica Makokha as well as KCB trio of Magdaline Mwende, Belinda Barasa and Faith Imodia have made the list. 

Kilabat and Imodia are set to fight for the setter position replacing Joy Lusenaka and Esther Mutinda who did duty at the last national team outing but are now unavailable for duty. Also missing is KCB's left attacker Leonida Kasaya.

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This will be the seventh time that Malkia strikers will be making an appearance at the Championship, and will be hoping to record their second win at the championship having picked a historic win during the 2018 edition in Japan as they saw off Kazakhstan by straight sets

Malkia Strikers will be seeking to avenge the recent double defeat to Cameroon during the African Nations Championship in September last year, going down in the group stage as well as in the final as Cameroon won 3-1 to defend their title.

Provisional Squad

Outside hitters: Mercy Moim (KCB), Noel Murambi, Veronica Adhiambo (Kenya Pipeline), Pamela Jepkirui, Meldinah Sande, Yvonne Wavinya (Kenya Prisons). 

Middel blockers: Trizah Atuka, Gladys Ekaru (Kenya Pipeline), Edith Wisa, Belinda Barasa, Magdaline Mwende (KCB), Lorine Chebet (Kenya Prisons)  

Opposite attacker: Sharon Chepchumba (KCB), Emmaculate Chemtai (Kenya Prisons), Violet Makuto (Kenya Pipeline)

Setters: Emmaculate Nekesa, Faith Imodia (KCB), Veronica Kilabat (KDF)

Liberos: Aggripina Kundu (Kenya Pipeline), Veronica Makokha (KDF)