Bitok terms Simiyu's Malkia Strikers debut a success

Kenya Pipeline opposite hitter Loice Simiyu made her debut for the national women's volleyball team Malkia Strikers on Wednesday 16 August as the team played Rwanda for a 3-0 victory.

Her presence on the court was necessitated by the absence of injured star attacker Sharon Chepchumba who has been sidelined with a slight ankle injury that she is expected to recover from in time for the knock-out stages.

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Simiyu, who had never played for the team before, making the squad for the first time but remaining unused in the FIVB Challenger Cup, had been thrown in the deep end; did she deliver? 

"For a first match and at her age as she has little experience even at club level she did well. It is huge shoes that she's been called upon to fill and she was effective after settling in. 

In the beginning she was shaky, which was expected. She often found herself a bit out of position, but we kept correcting her and when she got it right, she was on a roll.

It is a learning process, one she has good players to look up yo and I am confident she will get better," Bitok offered. 

The youngster had not been used, even in friendly matches, since the team departed Kenya for Morocco until she was called upon when Chepchumba suffered her injury. 

"I was composed the entire match and I am happy to have made my debut and been part of this win," Simiyu offered after the match. 

Bitok, however, hopes that this will be a learning process for the team to prepare better for such eventualities. 

Asked for an update on Chepchumba's progress the tactician revealed that it was nit a serious issue but the technical bench has elected nit to field her for a few matches so she can heal and be ready for tougher matches later on in the competition. 

"We want her fully fit for action so we will not rush her return. We have a depth advantage that gives us the opportunity to make such decisions so she will be fielded when ready," the assistant coach offered.