ON THE RECEIVING END: China add more miseries to winless Malkia Strikers

FIVB WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL WORLD CUP Malkia Strikers' Jane Wacu (left) and Esther Wangeci in action against United States in the FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup in Okayama, Japan, on Sunday. [PHOTO:FIVB]

Malkia Strikers’ poor performance in the ongoing 2015 FIVB Women’s World Cup continued after they lost to China.

China neat the Kenyans 3-0 (25-7, 25-15, 25-14) in their second match of the second round of the competition at Momotaro Arena in Okayama, Japan, yesterday.

The Asian champions recorded their fourth straight win following a 3-0 defeat by the United States last Monday to improve their overall win-less record in the tournament to 6-1.

Liu Xiaotong received the Most Impressive Player award after having 11 kills, one block and an ace (a serve which lands on the opponent’s box without being touched) for China. Yang Junjing also scored 13 points as Zhang Changning added 12 points. The Chinese women produced nine aces, compared to Kenya’s four.

This defeat comes after Kenya’s first second round 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-13) loss to defending Champions United States of America (USA) on Sunday.

This performance leaves the African representatives Kenya and Algeria without a win from seven matches ahead of today’s third round fixture.

 MAIDEN VICTORY

This will be a repeat of the finals of the continental championships where Kenya defeated the North Africans and Malkia Strikers coach David Lung’aho hoping for their maiden victory in the 2015 FIVB World Cup.

In other encounters, Tijana Boskovic contributed 27 points to enable Serbia give Russia their first defeat in the tournament with a hard-fought 3-2 (22-25, 22-25, 25-14, 25-23, 15-12) win at the Sendai Gymnasium.

Reigning champions USA beat Argentina in straight sets (25-16, 25-19 and 25-14) to record their sixth win of the tournament. Kimberly Hill and Karsta Lowe scored 13 points apiece.

 LOST SEVEN MATCHES

At the same time, four-time World Cup title winners Cuba beat Algeria in straight sets (25-17, 25-16 and 25-14).

This was Cuba’s second victory from seven matches. Algeria have lost all seven matches so far at the 12-team tournament played in  round robin format.

Sulian Caridad Matienzo received the Most Impressive Player award after notching up 13 kills, three blocks and two aces to lead Cuba with 18 points as Heidy Margarita Rodriguez, who came from the bench, added 10 points. Nawel Hammouche scored Algeria’s nine points.

The title contention is now wide open as USA, Russia, China and Serbia share a 6-1 record after yesterday’s matches. USA sit at the top of the table standings with 19 points from seven matches while Russia are second with 18 points from seven matches. 

China are third on 18 points but with an inferior set ratio. Serbia have 16 points so far.

TODAY’S FIXTURES

Kenya Vs Algeria

Russia Vs Peru

Dominican Republic Vs  Korea

Argentina Vs China

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