Moim top scores as Malkia Strikers fall to Brazil
Malkia Strikers captain Mercy Moim top scored for Kenya with nine points, with Edith Wisah and Sharon Chepchumba adding eight each as the East Africans lost their fourth consecutive match by straight sets at the ongoing FIVB World Cup in Japan.
Facing world number four Brazil on Wednesday afternoon, coach Paul Bitok handed starting berths to Moim, Wisah, Triza Atuka, Violet Makuto, Janet Wanja and Noel Murambi with Agripina Kundu as libero.
Malkia had a slow start, allowing their opponents to race to a 8-3 lead. They played a steady match to trail by the same five points in the second technical timeout.
Back-to-back points saw Bitok’s charges cut the lead to three points at 14-17 and 18-21 before losing the set 25-20.
The second set ended 25-17 before a relatively poor show in the third set saw Malkia manage 14 points. Middle blocker Mara Leao and wing spiker Amanda Francisco top scored in the match with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
The home girls face Argentina, ranked 11th on the world standings, today at 8am as the search for a first win continues. The last meeting at the World Cup in 2015 ended 3-0 in favour of the South Americans in sets of 25-12, 25-17, 25-20.
The two sides are ranked at the bottom of the 12-team log with Argentina in 11th having picked two sets, one from USA and another from Serbia.
