By sportsnewsarena correspondent
Jul 26, 2017
Kenya’s Malkia Striker head coach Japheth Munala has named three debutants in the national women’s volleyball team for the upcoming Zonal V World Championship Qualifier.
Left attacker Leonida Kasaya, libero Cellestine Nyongesa and left attacker Immaculate Chemtai won Munala’s confidence to be included in the 14-member squad for the zonal event which serves off on Friday Safaricom Indoor Arena, Kasarani.
Kasaya and Nyongesa both from league champions Kenya Pipeline and Kenya Prisons Chemtai were among the new players that impressed the technical bench that also include former national captain Dorcas Ndasaba to earn a place in the final 14.
“They have really worked hard from the first day we began our training program. They have really shown a lot of improvement,” Munala said.
The coach added that the event will be a good platform for the young players to get exposed and that’s why they decided to get more young players in the team.
“We have to get some new players taking up places in the team and maybe replaces some of the players that we might not be with them in two or three years from now. So the best way to go about it and ensure that we have players who will fill the gap is by injecting new blood early in the team.”
Nyongesa’s star seemed to be on rise when she was included in the under 23 women's World Championship qualifier last year which later qualified for the event set for August 27 to September 3 in Ljubljana and Maribor, Slovenia respectively.
Nyongesa would then be drafted in the Kenya Pipeline women's team libero position to the annual Africa Club Championship.
Kasaya has been impressive
Kasaya on other hand has been impressive at her club and was outstanding during the last year All Africa Games in Congo, Brazzaville where the team won a gold medal.
Chemtai has been a regular in the Kenya Prison team and was part of the team to the Africa Club Championships.
The three will join regulars among them sensational setter Jane Wacu and celebrity Janet Wanja. Wanja was drafted in the team after making a U turn on her retirement from the national team in april this year.
In the left attacking department, captain Mercy Moim, Noel Murambi, Everlyne Makuto will muscle for a starting lineup.
Swift Violet Makuto and Anne Lowem will take care of the right attacking department with experienced Brackcides Agala, most valuable player Triza Atuka and Africa best blocker Edith Wisa being available for selection in the middle blocking position.
Kundu and Nyongesa will take care of the libero position.
The three-day championship will involve hosts Kenya, neighbors Uganda, Rwanda and Egypt. The winner of the Zone Five qualifier will earn a ticket to the final round of qualification to the World Championships to be held in Cameroon later in the year.
Squad
Setters: Jane Wacu, Janet Wanja Liberos: Agrippina Kundu, Celestine Nyongesa; Left attackers: Mercy Moim, Noel Murambi, Everlyne Makuto, Leonida Kasaya; Middle Blockers: Brackcides Agala, Edith Wisa, Ann Lowem, Triza Atuka; Right Attackers: Violet Makuto, Immaculate Chemtai.
