Wacu tips late bloomer Lusenaka to star for Malkia Strikers
Kenya Pipeline attacker Leonida Kasaya (left) spikes against Kenya Prisons’ Joy Lusenaka and Faith Wisah (right) during their during their Kenya Volleyball Federation play offs held at Moi International Sports Stadium, Kasarani on December 3, 2018. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Joy Lusenaka was named the best setter in the league play offs.
- Jane Wacu tips Lusenaka to excel at international stage.
- Her coach, Josp Barasa, praises her performance at the league play offs.
National women’s volleyball team setter Jane Wacu has backed her Prisons Kenya teammate Joy Lusenaka to excel at the international stage after she guided her side to the Kenya Volleyball Federation national league title.
Lusenaka surprisingly started all the play offs matches restricting Wacu, national team first choice setter, to bit-part role as Prisons swept aside opponents to win reclaim the title they lost four years ago. Lusenaka was named the best setter of the play offs tournament held at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
“I’m happy for Joy. She has taken time to realize her potential but now it’s her moment. She should have been winning these accolades four or five years ago but here we are now. She still has age on her side and if she keeps working hard, she will dominate the local scene,” Wacu told Nation Sport.
Kenya Prisons’s Joy Lusenaka(with white hand bands) sets the ball for her teammate during during their Kenya Volleyball Federation play offs held at Moi International Sports Stadium, Kasarani on December 3, 2018. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Wacu attributes Lusenaka’s slow development to her reluctance to challenge for a starting role in the team. “She always knew I was around and never wanted to rise up to the challenge, but I told the coaches to let her play the whole tournament to help her grow her game and confidence,” she added.
Wacu’s sentiments were echoed by their coach Josp Barasa. “Joy has really improved this season and fielding her from the start was part of our strategy to build her confidence. As a coach it’s a big advantage to have two good setters. You can always use them interchangeably. They both played very well,” he said
Prisons Kenya won the play-off with a near-perfect record only dropping one set in the 3-1 (25-19, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21) win over Pipeline on Monday. They beat KCB and Bungoma County in straight sets.
