Chris Musumba
10 July 2009
Nairobi — Kenya launched its campaign for the ticket to the 2010 World Championship in Japan on a strong note on Friday, destroying Senegal in straight sets of 25-19, 25-20 and 25-10 in a match that lasted 64 minutes.
Head coach David Lung'aho however has a small task of working on the teams' errors - like poor service, momentary loss of concentration and team co-ordination - ahead of their assignment against Tunisia.
Earlier, a momentary loss in concentration among Cameroon players was all that Tunisia required to edge out the Central African champions in 3-2 sets of 27-25, 18-25, 25-18, 18-25 and 16-14 in the championship opener at Kasarani on Friday.
Lunga'ho settled for Lydia Maiyo, Asha Makuto, Edna Rotich, Praxicedes Agala, Jane Wacu and Jackline Barasa as his first choice players.
Libero Mildred Odwako also displayed superior reception skills to steady the Kenyan ship in the back court, a move seen as paying back to the coach's trust to select her over Judith Tarus.
Setter Jane Wacu has also won the battle for the pivotal role in the team over rival Janet Wanja.
Although Kenya won the match, they made it hard for themselves, especially in the first set, by taking long to settle down. But with all departments fully awake, they again showed their dominance, rushing to a 6-5 win at the first technical timeout.
Things never changed when play was resumed as Kenya piled pressure on their West African rivals, scoring from all sides as Miayo, Rotich and captain Agala dropped the missiles into the open slots across the net to lead 16-11 at the second breather.
Intelligent setter Wacu also spoiled Senegal's party as she secured two quick points with second balls when the opposition expected her to provide it to her colleagues. Kenya held on strongly to win 25-19.
In the second set Kenya started strong with improved reception. Jackline Baraza and Makuto were the main targets as they landed several scores to lead 8-5 at the first breather.
Lung'aho changed his team, bringing in Wanja for Wacu. Senegal, led by captain Ndiaye Bineta, Marieme Diagne and Camara Yaye Fatou, landed strong attacks but Kenya held on to take a 16-11 lead at the second technical timeout.
On resumption, it was Senegal who had an upper hand as poor coordination and service errors saw the visitors close the gap to 17-16. But despite cries by fans for Lung'aho to call for a timeout, the coach maintained his confidence. Kenya won the two successive points to lead 19-16.
Lung'aho brought in Mercy Moim for Rotich while his counterpart Sene Amadou brought in Boye Fatou Khady for Diagne as Kenya held on to a 23-19 lead before Senegal called for a timeout. The break did little to stop Kenya, who won 25-20.
Resigned to a loss
Wanja steered Kenya's vessel to safety as they took a 4-0 lead in the third set. Maiyo's switch to the right attack position proved to be a better bet as she opened Kenya's attacks, landing two points that wrecked the Senegalese. Kenya held on to a 8-3 lead at the first technical timeout.
With Senegal resigned to a loss, Amadou opted to rest Ndiaye Aminata for Sow Binetou. Kenya responded by bringing out Jackline Baraza for Roselyne Adhiambo, who marked her first contribution with a solid block in her debut cap for Kenya.
Esther Muombe came in for Makuto and Agala went out for Joan Chelegat to savour her maiden cap. Kenya went on to win 25-14.
With a solitary ticket reserved for the four-team group every point is crucial. That is why the Tunisia camp broke into celebration at the end of their nerve-wracking fifth set.
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