Kenya beach volleyball fall to USA

Kenya women's beach volleyball pair of Gaudencia Makokha and Brackcides Agala's chances of going past the group stages are going up in smoke as they fell to the more experienced United States by straight sets of 21-8 and 21-6 in their second match at the Olympics. 

Kenya needed a win in the match to keep their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages alive but the USA pair of Kelly Claes and Sarah Sponcil were a cut above the Kenyan duo, dispensing them in 25 minutes. 

Claes and Sponcil got together in 2019 and are making their Olympic debuts. They started their tournament by eking out a three-set win over Latvia's Tina Graudina and Anastasija Kravcenoka, 21-13, 16-21, 15-11 and are through to the next round. 

Against Brazil in the first match, the Kenyans had a better match especially in attack but still went down 21-15 and 21-9. The pair now face Latvia in their final group stage match. 

"Against Brazil, it was a nervous start for my players maybe because if the teams reputation. We tried to control the game, went toe-to-toe against them but after about 11 points we lost it and let them control the match. That affected our momentum even in the second set. Their services were good and they have the best blocker in this competition Ana Patricia Silva Ramos. We learned alot from the Brazil match and have to do better in coming matches," coach Sammy Mulinge had said in a pre-match interview. 

The tactician admits that Kenyan volleyball in general has a ball-control problem may it be beach or indoor. He, however, believes his charges have a better chance of winning a match or set if they can play one touch instead of three after reception. 

"All the teams in our pool are playing almost at the same level. None is stronger than the other but they are more experienced than us and they are using that against us. If we can play according to our strategies both in service and defence, placing the ball at the right place at the right time, it would be a game changer," added Mulinge.