Volleyball team to stay together

The Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) plans to retain and nurture the national junior girls’ team that claimed a silver medal at the Youth African Games in Gaborone, Botswana.

Rivals Egypt won gold as the other competitors Rwanda, Nigeria South Africa, Mauritius and the hosts all finished behind Kenya in that order.

“This performance is good and very encouraging as well,” KVF Secretary General Evans Wasike told Daily Nation Sport.

He added: “These girls are the future of volleyball in Kenya so we will keep them together, nurture them and arrange for quality friendly matches to expose them.”

The team consisting of the Kwanthanze Girls trio of Anne Lowen, Lillian Lelei and Linet Muremi easily defeated Botswana in straight sets of 25-18, 27-25 and 25-17 in their opening game.

ONLY LOSS

The team, managed by former Kenya international Catherine Mabwi would, however, go down 0-3 (10-25, 16-25, 17-25) to Egypt in what would be their only loss of the competition.

“The north Africans are organized from the youthful level because they have the resources, infrastructure and are well facilitated,” said Wasike.

“In fact, at this stage, their teams are already practising and playing matches in indoor arenas,” Wasike noted.

Kenya, however, recovered to beat Rwanda, managed by former Kenyan international Paul Bitok, in 3-2 sets (27-29, 25-14, 21-25, 25-17 and 15-5) and later beat South Africa 3-1(25-22, 28-26, 22-25, 25-17).