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KDF suffer rare loss in the opening volleyball match in regional military games

KDF suffer rare loss in the opening volleyball match in regional military games
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Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) women’s volleyball team began their title defence on the wrong footing falling to Uganda 3-0 in their first match of the ongoing East Africa Community (EAC) Military Games at Kasarani Indoor Arena. 

Coach Sila Makiso had entrusted Edna Rotich, Damaris Chepkerom, Maorine Agwalas, Judy Wambui, Brenda Muremi and Lenah Mberia with starting berths as the home girls started their match on a high.  

Makiso’s charges led 8-7 in the first technical timeout (TTO) but Uganda rallied from behind to take a 11-8 lead forcing Kenyans to call for a timeout to strategise. 

The Ugandan side kept pushing and were in the lead at the second TTO at 16-13. Kenya failed to recover as Uganda went on to win the set 25-18.

Uganda led the second set 8-7 but Kenya assumed the lead at 16-12. The home girls extended the lead to 23-19 but a lapse in concentration saw Uganda catch up at 24-24 and went on to win the set 26-24.

As if resigned to fate, the Kenyans let go a 8-7 lead at the first TTO to trail 16-13 at the second TTO. The opponents extended the lead to 19-13 with Kenya’s efforts to catch up bearing no fruits as Uganda sealed the win at 25-20.

“Nothing is lost just yet. To defend the title we have to win the remaining matches.  We go back to the drawing board and ensure we correct our mistakes. 

“Poor reception and defence were our biggest undoing and we have to correct that before the next match. We failed in blocks too,” said coach Makiso.

Uganda were superior in blocks and service than their hosts and capitalised on Kenya’s failure to settle in the match well in time and occasional lapses in concentration to win the match. 

“Uganda are coming up well in volleyball and it showed in the way they played. Teams are out to beat us being the holders and we have to up our game.  

We tried covering up in blocks for the players who are lacking in height but we need to do better in the coming matches,” said the coach.  

Makiso’s charges have a rest today before getting back on the court where they take on Tanzania on Friday at 3pm.  Rwanda take on Burundi in the only volleyball match today.

In the first match of the day Rwanda beat Tanzania 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-18) and will head to their second match today with a three-point advantage. 

In basketball, holders Tanzania where shocked to 79-75 defeat in the hands of Burundi’s Muzinga despite leading 31-27 in the first half. 

Kenya’s Ulinzi Warriors played their first match last evening against new entrants South Sudan. 

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