FIVB WC 2022: Netherlands too strong for Kenya in opener

Kenya began its FIVB 2022 Women’s World Championship with a 3-0 loss to co-hosts the Netherlands on Friday.

In the second game of the opening day and the first in Pool A, the gap in quality between the two nations was visible in front of a packed Gelredome Arena in Arnhem Netherlands as the Dutch dominated to win in straight sets of 25:11, 25:17, 25:11.

Captain Anne Buijs was Kenya’s chief tormentor as she notched a game-high 15 points to help send the Netherlands, who are co-hosting this year’s tournament together with Poland, to the summit in Pool A.

Malkia Strikers’ Edith Wisa led the line for Kenya with eight points with Veronica Adhiambo and Sharon Chepchumba adding six and five points respectively.

Dominant

The one-time European champions were dominant in every statistical category over the nine-time African champions with Friday’s game being the third between the two nations since 2019 and have now all ended in similar 3-0 deficits.

Avital Selinger’s charges led in Kills 45:25, Blocks 13:7, Aces 3:0 and in forced errors 14:7.

Kenya, coached by Brazilian tactician Luizomar de Moura, began the first two sets as the better team and in particular, in the first set raced to a 3-0 lead. Poor reception and blocking characterized the team’s performance making them unable to sustain their opponents who were being propelled by a boisterous home crowd.

The Kenyan queens will now rest on Saturday before their next outing which will be against Belgium on Sunday. All matches in Pool A will be played in Arnhem.

Cameroon, Puerto Rico and Italy make up the other teams in the group. Reigning African champions Cameroon will take on the reigning European champions Italy on Saturday same as Belgium who will duel with Puerto Rico.

In the other game played on Friday, Poland needed four sets to get the better of Croatia in Pool B, winning 3:1 in sets of 25:19, 21:25, 25:23, 25:15.

Champions Serbia

Reigning world champions Serbia will begin their defence on Monday against Canada. Serbia are in Pool C alongside Germany, Bulgaria, USA, Kazakhstan and Canada.

There are four groups of six teams with the top four teams at the end of the first round qualifying for the second stage where two more groups will be assembled allowing the top four teams at the end of it to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Despite playing in six previous World Championships, Kenya has never progressed past the first round.

Below is the squad that is doing duty in the Netherlands;

LEFT ATTACKERS

1. Mercy Moim
2. Noel Murambi
3. Meldinah Sande
4. Veronica Adhiambo

MIDDLE BLOCKERS

1. Edith Wisa
2. Gladys Ekaru
3. Lorine Chebet
4. Belinda Barasa

SETTERS

1. Emmaculate Nekesa
2. Veronica Kilabat

 OPPOSITE ATTACKERS

1. Sharon Chepchumba
2. Everline Makuto

LIBERO

1. Agripina Kundu
2. Yvonne Wavinya

• 2022 FIVB World Championships
• Malkia strikers