Elizabeth Wanyama has been voted twice as the best libero at the African Women Volleyball Championship.
The most recent one coming last month as Wanyama’s expertise at reception and court cover played a vital role in leading Kenya to a record ninth title.
She was hoping that, that kind of form would see her team put up a better show at the 2015 FIVB Grand Prix in Mexico where Kenya played alongside Mexico, Colombia and Peru.
It didn’t happen as Kenya lost to Peru and Colombia in straight sets and struggled to pick a 3-2 win against Mexico.
It hurts as a player when you know that you didn’t rise to occasion when you were needed the most by your team mates. As a player you really know when you had a good game or not. But in this event, things didn’t work out for me and it’s disheartening to know in a way I failed the team
Wanyama said as the team touched base in Algeria for the second leg of the Grand Prix, she also revealed what the problem was.
One thing is for sure, there was no communication between myself and other back court players and that was another factor that contributed to poor reception. When we communicate, one is able to know who to receive the ball
While in Algeria, Kenya will play the hosts, Mexico and Australia and Wanyama believes if she steps up the team will be able to grab the all the nine points.
This is a new event, nine points are at stake and so, I will put my best foot forward and work together with teammates. Our objective is to bag the nine available points. I know our opponents will be out to capitalize on our reception, but we are not going to give them the satisfaction. I have my work cut out. We are here to collect all the nine points and qualify for the final round and this can only be achieved if we receive well
Added the Lugulu Girls high School alumni. Kenya are currently on sixth on the eight team log with two points while Algeria are fifth with six
Pool Q fixtures in Chéraga, Algeria
3 July, 17:10 – Mexico vs Kenya
3 July, 20:10 – Algeria vs Australia
4 July, 17:10 – Kenya vs Australia
4 July, 20:10 – Mexico vs Algeria
5 July, 17:10 – Australia vs Mexico
5 July, 20:10 – Algeria vs Kenya
Pool P Fixtures in Trujillo, Peru
3 July, 16:30 – Cuba vs Kazakhstan
3 July, 19:00 – Peru vs Colombia
4 July, 15:30 – Kazakhstan vs Colombia
4 July, 18:00 – Peru vs Cuba
5 July, 15:30 – Colombia vs Cuba
5 July, 18:00 – Peru vs Kazakhstan
Pool N Results in Taldykorgan, Kazakhstan
26 June, 15:00 – Australia 0-3 Cuba (22–25, 12–25, 16–25)
26 June, 18:00 – Kazakhstan 3-0 Algeria (25–23, 25–17, 25–20)
27 June, 15:00 – Cuba 3-0 Algeria (25–19, 25–18, 25–16)
27 June, 18:00 – Kazakhstan 3-0 Australia (25–20, 25–21, 25–8)
28 June, 15:00 – Algeria 3-0 Australia (25–19, 25–22, 25–13)
28 June, 18:00 – Kazakhstan 3-2 Cuba (25–16, 12–25, 26–24, 21–25, 15–13)
Pool O Results in Veracruz, Mexico
26 June, 18:10 – Kenya 0-3 Peru (18–25, 12–25, 23–25)
26 June, 20:40 – Mexico 0-3 Colombia (8–25, 16–25, 18–25)
27 June, 17:10- Peru 3-1 Colombia (25–19, 19–25, 25–21, 25–19)
27 June, 19:40 – Mexico 2-3 Kenya (16–25, 25–20, 25–21, 17–25, 9–15)
28 June, 17:10 – Colombia 3-2 Kenya (25–21, 25–14, 25–20)
28 June, 19:40 – Mexico 0-3 Peru (16–25, 17–25, 12–25)
