Malkia Strikers bundled out of Challenger Cup

National women's volleyball team Malkia Strikers on Friday, 28 July, night went down 3-1 to Colombia in a FIVB Challenger Cup quarters clash played at Espace Mayenne hall in Laval, France.

Malkia Strikers were making their debut in the competition whose winner will get a chance to feature in the prestigious global Volleyball Nations League (VNL) with a win also crucial in their quest to feature in next year’s Paris Olympics.

The Luizomar de Moura-coached side had a strong start in the first set, going toe-to-toe with the Antonio Rizola Neto-coached Colombia in a see-saw encounter but the Kenyans allowed the opponent to go on a four-point scoring spree from 15-14 to trail 18-14 and further at 21-16, a difference Moura’s charges were unable to recover as they lost the set 25-22. 

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Despite committing four service errors, Kenya led 9-6 in the second set, forcing Colombia into a timeout that did little to change Malkia’s run, as the East Africans went up 14-09, the difference remaining at 18-13.

Colombia bagged three back-to-back to come to within two points of Malkia at 18-16 and a timeout for the Kenyans did little to stop Colombia as they leveled the score at 19 all.

Leonida Kasaya and Jemimah Siangu were introduced and their contribution was immense as the former was on the serve, pulling Kenya away for 23-19  as they went on to win 25-21 with a spectacular Sharon Chepchumba ace.

Kenya continued their onslaught in the third set, taking the lead at 10-08 but Colombia equalized to send Malkia into a timeout. Poor reception for Moura’s charges handed Colombia the lead at 10-11, going on to take the advantage to 11-14.

A series of mistakes for Kenya saw Colombia go 22-15 ahead, Malkia digging themselves in a deeper hole that proved their Achilles heel as they lost the set 25-23.

In the fourth set, Colombia capitalised on Kenya's numerous mistakes to take a healthy lead and go on to win the set 25-19 and the match 3-1. 

"The team posted good results especially in the second set winning 25-21," assistant coach Paul Bitok said after the loss. 

"Our attack and blocks in the second set were good as the team on the floor coordinated well. However, the team is still facing reception problems despite a fantastic effort from Mercy Moim and Agripina Kundu," Bitok continued. 

While lauding the team's attack in the middle, the tactician noted that when Colombia changed tact and began setting high ball Malkia could not adjust and time their blocks effectively.

With the loss, Malkia Strikers shift their focus to next month's continental assignment where they are chasing the African title they last won in 2015. 

"We have a friendly match against Vietnam on 29 July after which we continue with preparations for African championship. The team will be in France until 5 August and will travel directly to Cameroon," he explained. 

Chepchumba led Kenya’s scoring with 28 points, giving Malkia the only block the team managed in the entire match and two aces. Belinda Barasa scored one ace in her 12-point tally while Veronica Adhiambo added 11 points, four in the first set, three in the second and fourth, and one in the third.