Malkia Strikers show mettle in Tokyo Games loss to Serbia

Malkia Strikers lost their third game at Tokyo Olympic Games to Rio silver medalists Serbia on Thursday, 29 July, morning but the Kenyan girls put on a really gutsy display against a team that has forever been dominant in world volleyball stage.

Despite the loss, the markedly impressive Malkia Strikers left the court with their heads held high owing to the gallant fight they put on even as their search for a first set or match win continues, with two matches left against Dominican Republic and Brazil.

The Kenyans had a slow start, trailing 5-0, heading to the first technical timeout (TT) with a six-point deficit at 8-2. Points from Mercy Moim and Edith Wisah saw Kenya cut the deficit to five points at 9-4 and further down to four at 10-6.

Back court defence continued to cripple Bitok’s charges despite cutting the deficit to three points at 13-10. At the second TT, Serbia led 16-11 and the five-point difference was maintained at 22-17. The set ended 25-21 in favour of the the Rio Olympics silver medalists.

Kenya had another bad start in the second set, their first three points won through Serbia’s poor service trailing 5-3, points they maintained into the first TT. At 12-5, Kenya’s technical bench called for a timeout, a break that did little to change Serbia’s rally as they led 16-8 at the second TT.

One bad reception after another, Kenya found themselves trailing 20-9, a Leonida Kasaya point and a contested block taking Kenya to eleven points to end the set at 25-11.

Kenya returned for the third set baying for Serbia’s blood who looked rattled after service mistakes handed Kenya the lead for the first time in the match at 1-2. Kenya continued their rally, forcing the 2017 world champions to make more service errors handing Kenya the lead at 8-7 in the first TT.

Serbia assumed lead at 12-11 and extended the lead to five points within no time to force Kenya into a timeout. Serbia’s experience and superior technique came into play in the final minutes of the set as they held on for 25-20 win.