Nine-time African Volleyball Women Champions Kenya defeated Peru 3-1 to win the FIVB Grand Prix Group Three on Sunday morning and gain promotion to Group Two.That journey started in Mexico last month, through Algeria and got done in Australia were Kenya defeated the hosts 3-1 (18-25, 25-16, 25-20, 25-14) in the semis to book a date with Peru in the finals.
Coach David Lung’aho stuck to a suicide six as setter Jane Wanja played all the four sets, captain Brackside Agala and Ruth Jepngetich manned the net defense, Agala also doing the extras on reception. Noel Murambi replaced Evelyne Makuto whose name didn’t even appear on the team sheet. Murambi and Mercy Moim played in power while Lydia Maiyo was the opposite with Elizabeth Wanyama the libero.
Peru who defeated Kenya in straight sets (25-18, 25-12, 25-23) in the first leg, took the first set 25-21. Kenya like they had done throughout the tournament relied on Moim, and skipper Brackside Agala for attack. Jepngetich and Agala also manned the net defense, though the former was more dominant. Actually Jepngetich was to Kenya on the block what Moim was to the side with her attack.
Kenya won the second set 25-17 to draw the game level. In the third set Peru badly wanted to gain the lead. They fought for every point, at 20 all, Kenya defended their service four consecutive times to lead 24-20. Peru crawled back 24-22; Lung’aho called a time out to give his side a breather.
Kenya returned and eventually broke Peru’s service to win the set 25-22 and the game 2-1. Peru started the fourth with the same vigor they had from the start, rallying to a 14-12 lead. Kenya painted the corners of their spikes to level the game 14 all.
Both sides upped their net defense to stay neck to neck, Peru opening slim gaps in point difference but Kenya always closing them. Desperate defending saw tables turn as Kenya led 18-16; Peru kept the gap in touching distance as Kenya led 21-18.
At 22-18, the game was out of reach for Peru, then 23-20, the South Americans crawled back 23-22. Peru narrowed the gap 24-22, Kenya served for the set point, failed to defend their service, 24-23, but eventually broke Peru’s service to win the set 25-23.
Moim finished the game with 22 points, Jepngetich 17 and Murambi 12. Colombia joined Kenya and Peru in Group Two after the former defeated Australia 3-0 (25-12, 25-22, 25-16)
