After Kenya defeated Algeria 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-20) to win a record ninth African Women’s Volleyball Championship on Saturday, it was time to award for excelling individual players.
The big one of them all was the Most Valuable Player and on the podium was Senegalese captain Fatou Diuock who had already won the best attacker award. Diuock was joined by the Kenyan duo of Mercy Moim and Eveline Makuto.
The day’s master of ceremonies and Confederation of African Volleyball head of media Tarek Al- Adwar was tasked to announce the queen of African volleyball. “Sorry Fatou, you can’t win it because your team never played in the finals,” Tarek told Fatou as she made her away off the podium leaving only Moim and Makuto. Tarek pulled the same trick on Moim asking her to leave the stage for the eventual MVP Makuto.
The 24-year old was shocked that she had been chosen ahead of Moim who actually won the same award in 2013. Makuto who did put in the points for Kenya throughout the tournament struggled to get to terms with the crown.
“There were so many players on our team who deserved it,” Makuto said. “Mercy, our captain Blackie (Bracksides Agala) the whole team really gave there all to defend our crown,” she added.
Makuto is vital on attacker, but gave the team balance on reception, cover and didn’t lose so many services. She might have walked away with the ultimate individual price but her teammates were also recognized.
Jane Wairumi was voted best setter for the second edition running just like libero Elizabeth Wanyama who was also defending her crown. Ruth Jepngetich was voted the best blocker while Cameroon’s Moma Bassoko and Algeria’s Lydia Oloumou walked home with the best receiver and server awards respectively.
Kenyan Libero Elizabeth Wanyama has won back to back best libero awards at the African Women’s Volleyball Champions (Photo Credits: Nairobi News)
Individual Awards
Best Setter: Jane Wachu (Kenya)
Best Receiver: Moma Bassoko (Cameroon)
Best Libero: Nafula Wanyama (Kenya)
Best Attacker: Fatou Diuock (Senegal)
Best Blocker: Ruth Jepngetich (Kenya)
Best Server: Lydia Oloumou (Algeria)
MVP: Everline Makuto (Kenya)
Final Ranking: 1. Kenya 2. Algeria 3. Cameroon 4. Senegal 5. Tunisia 6. Morocco 7. Mauritius 8. Botswana
