Malkia Strikers, the national women volleyball team head coach Paul Bitok has named a squad of 14 players ahead of world Cup.
The team has been training and practicing in Brazil as well as Belgrade- Serbia.
The Coaches are convinced that selection of the 14 was done based on merit and alot of other consideration which included; personal skills,position competition, statistics from both training sessions,friendly matches and the team player.
Mercy Moim will lead the left attack and will join hand with Noel Murambi, Meldinah Sande and Veronica Adhiambo
Middle blockers will be led by Edith Mukuvilani, Gladys Ekaru, Lorine Chebet and Belinda Barasa
Emmaculate Nekesa and Veronica Kilabat are setters while opposite attackers are Sharon Chumba and Everline Makuto
Liberos will be Agripina Kundu and Yvonne Wavinya.
However, two players were dropped and these are Veronica Makoha and Magdalene Mwende.
Malkia strikers will be represented by young and senior players for the first time having more than 5 new players in the team in the coming world championship ( Veronica Adhiambo, Veronica Kilabat, Emmaculate Nekesa, Magdalene Sande and Belinda Barasa)
After showing good improvement by Yvonne Wavinya coaches have considered her to be 2nd libero where she will assist Agripina Kundu which will be crucial on our weakness in Reception. Though she is the left player, coaches saw it important to use her experience both in beach volleyball and indoor to help in our Reception.
Otherwise the technical group led by Luizomar are very happy and they have confidence in the named team. Coach Luizomar has personally expressed his with our progress. The team has greatly improved and is now better than we were last time, this after the good training and facilities we have been using in OSASCO Brazil. I am very glad and most thankful for KVF bringing us here in Brazil. I am proud of the team at the moment.
We are in the last part of preparation and by the end of our friendly matches in Serbia the team will be ready to beat some teams in the championship , we are targeting to proceed to 2nd round and we are hoping to beat two teams to make a history for Kenya.
Team leaves on Wednesday for Serbia where we shall be playing two friendly matches and then on 20th October we shall jet in to Netherlands for the world championship.
Kenya is lined-up to open the competition with the host Netherlands during the opening ceremony.
We would like to thank all the players, during the last two months which has been tough but you gave it all your best to see us this far. For the dropped players,you are still young and we brought you here in Brazil to start your journey in volleyball and you have shown you have a big potential to become great players in future. Please as you return home do continue with training and be optimistic you will make it next time.