Final Score: Kenya 3- 2 Egypt
The Kenyan ladies’ Volleyball team has won their first game 3-2 over Egypt in the Zone 5 (group Q) of the Women’s championships at the MTN Lugogo Arena in Kampala.
Kenya drew the first blood, thanks to Esther Wangeci’s fierce, fearless attacks that won her team an avalanche of points in the 25-16 victory of the first set.
Perhaps, Egypt, banking on the expertise of power attackers in Aya El Shamy and Abd El Fatah Nahla rallied back to clinch sets 2 and 3 with two nail biting 25-21 and 25-17 scorelines respectively to take the lead 2-1.
By the commencement of the 4th set, the writing was surely on the wall that several of the Kenya players who have been part of the Prisons club in the Zurich World Club meet were tired.
Power attackers Evaline Makuto, Jane Wacu (setter), Elisabeth Nafula and the rest of the Prison’s squad have played close to 60 sets in the past few months.
Esther Wangeci won it for Kenya come the fourth set 4th set with a powerful shot off the nets to put the Kenyans at par with a 2 all score line to force a deciding game that they triumphed 15 -13.
The 3 day tourney will see only two teams of the 4 go through to the last stage of qualifers later this year at a venue yet to be communicated.
Line-ups:
Kenya : Jane Wacu, Evaline Makuto, Esther Wangeci, Diana Khisa, Ruth Jepngetich, Janet Wanja, Vilet Makuto, Elisabeth Nafula, Mercy Moim, Brackcades, Galidencia Makokha, and Diana Biama
Coach:
Egypt : Abd El Fatah Sherihan, Ahmed Nehal, Sallam Lujien, Assem Kenzie, Abdou Lina, Abd El Fatah Nahla, Mahmoud Shorouk, El Shamy Engy, El Shamy Aya, Seifelnasar Niremeen, Elgohary Rana
Asst Coach: Maged Moustafa
Asst Coach 2: Mohamed Shokry
Trainer/Therapist: Yasmen Zarzora
Head Coach: Mohamed Hesham Badrawy
Set 1:Kenya 25-16 Egypt
Set 2: Kenya 21-25 Egypt
Set 3: Kenya 17 – 25 Egypt
Set 4 Kenya 25 – 15 Egypt
Set 5: Kenya 15 – 13 Egypt