Malkia Strikers' African title hunt off to a winning start

National women's volleyball team Malkia Strikers got their campaign for the tenth African Nations Championship title off to a winning start as they saw off Rwanda in straight-sets at the Palais Polyvalent des Sports in Yaounde, Cameroon.

The Luizomar de Moura-coached side picked up from where they left when they played the same side in their final build-up match on Tuesday and, despite fielding the same lineup in all sets, went on to win 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-17 ). 

"For the opening match, I am impressed with the performance. I had to make changes in the lineup today and have more experienced players in the lineup and that worked for us. I am confident the players will grow into this competition and the performance can only get better," coach Moura offered after the match. 

As if to say 'let's get this over with' Moura's charges walked into the arena without their signature dancing and got right into readying for the task ahead. 

After the pre-match formalities were done, Emmaculate Nekesa, Veronica Adhiambo, Mercy Moim, Loice Simiyu who was brought in for the injured Sharon Chepchumba, Edith Wisah and Trizah Atuka who replaced Belinda Barasa who has been the preferred starter in Moura's lineups, were on the court with Agripina Kundu as libero. 

Moim got action underway from the service area and it was game on; Rwanda winning the opening point but that was as far as they led in the set as Kenya went ahead 8-4, extending the lead to six at 11-5 and the Rwandese tactician Paulo de Tarso Milagres opted to make use of his allocated timeout. 

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Malkia Strikers gifted Rwanda two back-to-back points with services that ended up on the net giving the Rwandese side some renewed energy as they cut Malkia's advantage to just two at 14-12 forcing coach Moura into a timeout to restrategise. 

Kenya pulled away to 18-13 with Adhiambo contributing to the tally with two aces. Coach Milagres made two changes, resting his first choice setter Iris Ndagijimana and right attacker Valentine Munerezo, the duo coming back in with Kenya leading 23 points but Moura's side took the set 25-16. 

"We knew Rwanda would change their formation after playing us in a friendly yesterday so we came prepared. Those called upon played well, especially Simiyu who had to come in for the injured Sharon Chepchumba and Atuka who is returning after a long time away from the team. 

Reception was problematic in the second set and I can pin it to poor lighting in the gymnasium, and having not trained in this facility during our build up. However, that is no excuse, we have to adjust and do better in the upcoming fixtures," skipper Moim offered. 

Kenya's lineup remained unchanged for the second set and, just like the first set, Rwanda scored the first point but the home girls were soon back on the drivers seat. 

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Rwanda, however, kept close at 5-3, 6-4 and 8-7 before leveling the score at eight with a Olive Nzamukosha ace. 

Kenya scored three in a row to reclaim their lead at 11-8 but lacklustre reception brought their fellow East Africans right back level at 11. 

Moura's charges found themselves trailing 11-13 and it was time for a pep-talk and a breather to settle down and effectively deal with Munerezo and Benitha Mukandayiseng's attacks.

Despite reclaiming the lead, Rwanda continued to trouble them and Albertine Uwiringiyimana brought Rwanda level again at 18 points. Adhiambo's strong services, however, proved the difference as she stood on the service line, taking Kenya to 23-18 as the set went on to end 25-20. 

The second set performance seemed to have hit a nerve as the Kenyan side came out guns blazing for a 5-0 lead in the third set, despite maintaining the same lineup, forcing coach Milagres into a timeout. 

Iris was introduced on service for Lea Uwera and Rwanda's momentum changed but they still trailed 11-4, two points coming off service errors by the Kenyans. 

The cruise continued and despite recovering well to pick more points, it was not enough to hand them a set against the top-ranked African side as they fell 25-17.