National women's volleyball team departs Sapporo City for Osaka this morning still win-less after falling again 3-0 (25-12, 25-12, 25-14) to defending champions China yesterday in the ongoing FIVB World Cup in Japan.
Kenya are yet to record set leave alone a win having left Hamamatsu City empty-handed in the first round with the losing streak persisting in the just-concluded second round in Sapporo.
In Osaka, their newfound rivals and Africa counterparts Cameroon, Russia and Korea lie in wait. Inform right attacker Sharon Chepchumba and utility player Leonida Kasaya top-scored for Kenya with nine and four points respectively while Xiangyu Gong (13) and Yingying Li (11) led the defending champions.
Kenya coach Paul Bitok admitted that the defeat against China was expected, considering the difference in class between the two nations.
He said: "We have been watching China to see why they are so successful. We knew we were playing the defending champions. There is a big difference in class between us and China and we were not expecting to win. We worked hard and wanted to get past 10 points in each set. We had some success on attacks and learned a lot."
Kenya captain Mercy Moim conceded defeat, saying they played well but it was not good enough. “We gave our best but they were stronger. I think playing China will make us better going forward," noted Moim.
On the flip side though, Cameroon yesterday surrendered two sets lead to succumb to Argentina 2-3 (25-21, 25-20, 20-25, 20-25 and 12-15) in their last match in Toyama before proceeding to Osaka.
The central Africans now boast of four sets and two points in the 12 team event that is being played on the round-robin format.
Cameroon had earlier on picked two sets from the Dominican Republic in Yohohama before Argentina match. Despite having two points, Cameroon occupy 11th position in the 12-nation event.
