Japan side hit Malkia Strikers in friendly
What you need to know:
- Malkia Strikers will on Thursday make the six-hour road trip from their current base in Korube City to Hamamatsu, which is the venue of their group matches at this international tournament.
- Lorine Chebet, Sharon Chepchumba, Christine Siwa, Leonida Kasaya and Emmaculate Chemtai are some of the players who will be making their debut in this competition.
- Wisa, captain Mercy Moim, Monica Biama, Triza Atuka, Janet Wanja and Jane Wacu are the most experienced players in this group.
Kenya’s national women volleyball team on Wednesday lost 0-3 (19-25, 22-25, 19-25) to a select Japan side in Korube City, in their final build-up match ahead of the 2018 FIVB World Volleyball Championship.
Speaking after the game, Kenya Volleyball Federation technical director David Lung’aho, who is with the side in Japan, described the result as "ideal" suggesting the squad needed the workout ahead of the Championship, having earlier been deprived of international friendlies.
He said: “The opponents play a fast game, very accurate with minimal mistakes. It was good for us because we will know what to expect. Edith Wisa was our standout player with great blocking and she scored at will.”
At the same time, Malkia Strikers will on Thursday make the six-hour road trip from their current base in Korube City to Hamamatsu, which is the venue of their group matches at this international tournament.
The Kenyan team, which is coached by Japheth Munala, has so far been engaged in a fruitful eight-day training camp in Korube and Hitachi cities. While there, the team was at some point put through its drills by former Japan international Sadatoshi Sugawara.
“We are now prepared for the tournament,” Elizabeth Wanyama said.
“Our target is atleast to progress to the second round of the competition.”
Lorine Chebet, Sharon Chepchumba, Christine Siwa, Leonida Kasaya and Emmaculate Chemtai are some of the players who will be making their debut in this competition.
Wisa, captain Mercy Moim, Monica Biama, Triza Atuka, Janet Wanja and Jane Wacu are the most experienced players in this group.
Kenya are pooled in Group ‘D’ alongside Brazil, Dominican Republic, Serbia, Puerto Rico and Kazakhstan and will open her campaign against the Asian country at the Hamamatsu Indoor Arena on Saturday.
