As the 2016 Olympic Games commence in Rio de Janeiro this August, only Cameroon will represent Africa in the women Volleyball Games.
This was after Kenya and Algeria failed to grab the one slot available available at the World Olympics Championships in Puerto Rico.
The two countries finished third and fourth respectively at the tournament as Puerto Rico topped the group with a 3-0 (25-8, 25-23, 25-15) win over Kenya on Monday morning.
After losing 3-0 to Colombia, Kenya had given themselves hope by defeating Algeria 3-1 (25-14, 23-25, 25-14, 25-16) a game head coach David Lung’aho was impressed with the performance of his side.
We were more composed against a much improved Algeria our attacks were okay and the blocking did function from the 3rd set Khadambi was our best players with Noel Murambi and Trizah Atuka scoring well for the team
A jovial Lung’aho said about a game that had middle blockers Brackcides Khadambi and Triza Atuka grab 23 and 15 points respectively.
But it was a totally different story against a Puerto Rican side that was yet to lose a game after beating Algeria 3-0 (25-10, 25-11, 25-12) and Colombia 3-0 (25-17, 26-24, 25-18)
Puerto Rico defeated Kenya in game the latter faltered 22 times compared to the former’s 11, assistant captain Noel Murambi and Evelyne Makuto were Kenya’s best performers with 12 and nine points respectively.
Kenya will now turn attention to the Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) Grand Prix Group Two games that start in June in Argentina.
In Argentina, Kenya has been drawn in Pool A2 alongside the hosts, Bulgaria and Dominican Republic other teams in the pool are, Poland and Puerto Rico, Czech Republic and Canada.
FIVB Group Three Grand Prix first leg Fixtures
June 4th in Tucuman Argentina
Kenya vs Argentina
Dominican Republic vs Bulgaria
June 5th in Tucuman Argentina
Kenya vs Bulgaria
Dominican Republic vs Argentina
June 5th in Tucuman Argentina
Dominican Republic vs Kenya
Argentina vs Bulgaria
June 10th in Poland
Kenya vs Puerto Rico
Poland vs Argentina
June 11th in Poland
Kenya vs Poland
Argentina vs Puerto Rico
June 12th in Poland
Kenya vs Argentina
Poland vs Puerto Rico
Selected team for the Olympic qualifiers and FIVB Grand Prix: Mercy Moim (Captain), Jane Wacu , Janet Wanja , Evelyne Makuto ,Edith Wisa, Violet Makuto , Brackcides Khadambi, Noel Murambii, Trizah Atuka , Esther Wangeci , Agrippina Kundu, Monica Biama.
Traveling Officials
Martin Kimondo – Team Manager
David Lung’aho – Head Coach
Japheth Munala – Assistant Coach
Charles Maina – Team Doctor
Dennis Machio – Team Journalist
