Nine new players have been drafted in the 23-member under-23 national women’s volleyball provisional team ahead of the World Championships set for between August 27 and September in Ljubljana and Maribor, Slovenia.
They include left-attacker quartet of Joan Ngeiywo, Lilian Lelei, Pamela Chepkurom and Meldine Sande, middle-blocker Carol Sirengo and right-attacker Teresia Keya from Prisons Kenya.
Others are setter Metrine Wafula (Western Bombers) and Kenya Commercial Bank duo of right-attacker Lucy Sakong’ and Shyreline Sembei.
The team also has mainstays in setter Veronica Tanui, middle-blocker Yvonne Sinaida, left-attacker Edina Mwombe, centre/right-attacker Beldine Akinyi and libero Celestine Nyongesa from champions Kenya Pipeline.
Former champions Kenya Prisons have middle-blocker duo of Anne Lowem, Shyrene Chepkemboi, left-attacker Yvonne Wavinya and libero Sarah Were.
KCB have left-attacker Doreen Marani and centre Pauline Wafula, St Paul’s University has contributed setter Faith Imodia as Nairobi Water has left/middle-blocker Maureen Agwala and Damaris Chepkorom also making it to the list.
The team under the stewardship of Cathrine Mabwi and Kenya Prisons women’s team assistant coach Josp Barasa qualified for the championship having finished second behind eventual winner Egypt during the qualifiers.
Kenya Volleyball Federation technical director David Lung’aho said the releasing of the provisional squad was timely since early preparations would definitely transform into positive results at the World Championships.
