Loice Simiyu eyeing global success with Malkia Strikers

Malkia Strikers’ debutant Loice Simiyu is a woman on a mission, having been named in the national women’s volleyball team for the first time.

Simiyu who was instrumental in Kenya Pipeline’s silver medal performance at this year’s Club Championship where she was making her debut at the continental level made the squad of 16 currently in Morocco for high-performance training.

Simiyu is expected to make her first appearance for the Luizomar de Moura-coached side in France during the FIVB Challenger Cup competition and later in Cameroon for the Africa Nations Championship with her first title with the team in mind.

Bitok: Door not closed for Mutinda as Malkia Strikers begin training

“It was a privilege being named in the national team and making it to the final 16 in my first season in the league. This was unexpected but I had put in the work at club level and the culmination is featuring for the national team.

As we head to the two competitions in France and Cameroon, the plan is to fight as a team so whenever I am called upon I will be ready to deliver. We are looking to win the African title in Cameroon and I am looking forward to being part of that success,” the former Kwanthanze ace who can comfortably play in three positions offered before the team departed the country for Morocco.

Simiyu has been named in the opposite position, despite being able to come in as a setter and outside hitter, alongside Kenyan International Sharon Chepchumba, an alumnus of the famous Kwanthanze school too and the youngster admits it is a source inspiration ahead of her first national team assignment.

The team is in Morocco for three weeks before a trip to France for the eight-team Challenger Cup slated for 27 to 30 July in Laval.

Malkia open their campaign in the knock-out format tournament that qualifies teams for the prestigious Volleyball Nations League (VNL) with a clash against 17th ranked Colombia on 28 July. Kenya is ranked 29th in the world.

De Moura’s charges will have little time to rest after the Cup competition in France as they have continental action calling from 6 to 18 August in Cameroon.

SETTERS

1. Emmaculate Nekesa - KCB

2. Rose Magoi - Pipeline

OPPOSITE PLAYERS

1. Sharon Chumba - Aris Thessaloniki, Greece

2. Loice Simiyu - Pipeline

OUTSIDE HITTERS (Left attackers)

1. Moim Mercy - KCB (Captain)

2. Veronica Adhiambo - Tarsus Belediyespor, Turkey

3. Juliana Namutira - KCB

4. Jemimah Siangu - DCI

5. Leonida Kasaya - Pipeline

6. Yvonne Wavinya - Prisons

LIBERO

1. Agripina Kundu - Pipeline

MIDDLE BLOCKERS

1. Edith Wisah - KCB

2. Belinda Barasa - KCB

3. Lorine Chebet - Prisons

4. Gladys Ekaru - Pipeline

5. Trizah Atuka - Pipeline (Assistant captain)