Kenya Women volleyball team ready for Grand Prix Group Two matches, says coach

Kenya national women’s volleyball team head coach David Lung’aho is looking forward to a good start at the 2016 FIVB World Grand Prix Group Two tournament.

When the competition serves off tomorrow morning in Tucuman, Argentina, Lung’aho knows the eyes of expectant Kenyan fans will be trained on him and his charges.

The nine-time African champions arrived in Tucuman on Tuesday evening after a six-hour drive from Palapala, Argentina’s Jujuy Province, after a week-long training camp in Buenos Aires.

Malkia Strikers, who will be making their debut in Group Two after winning last year’s Group Three tournament, take on hosts Argentina in their opening match tomorrow, before entertaining Bulgaria on Sunday. Kenya will then wrap up their Tucuman leg with a clash against Dominican Republic on June 6.

Tomorrow’s match between Argentina and Kenya will be their third meeting in less than a fortnight. The Argentines won in the two encounters.

Kenya lost 4-1 to Argentina in their first friendly match in Buenos Aires, before losing in straight sets in their next warm-up match in Palapala.

But with the Olympics-bound Argentina going into the match as clear favourites, Lung’aho has urged his players to give a good account of themselves.

“We lost to Argentina in the two friendlies, but the important thing is that the matches helped us identify our mistakes, which we have already corrected ahead of our meeting. I am happy with the condition of the players. Our aim is to focus on the matches ahead. We have been training all through for the Grand Prix. We are now ready,” said Lung’aho.

“We know we really have to perform, but for us to do so, we need to play very well. I think people expect a lot from us, but we should also accept the fact that this is a stronger group because we advanced to a higher cadre in the Grand Prix.

“The most important thing is to give a good account of ourselves, play well and get some wins. We need to make it to the final round.”

His sentiments were echoed by Kenya Pipeline left attacker Violet Makuto, who will be making her Grand Prix debut. Prisons Kenya middle-blocker Edith Wisa will also be playing in the Grand Prix for the first time.

“We are focused and ready for the competition. Personally, I can’t wait to play in my first Grand Prix match. We expect it to be tough, but with focus, I know everything is possible,” said Makuto.

“The team is very well prepared and the morale is high. The weather is conducive compared to other places we were. We hope to perform well,” added Wisa.

After the Tucuman action, Kenya will travel to Wloclawek, Poland for the second leg of the competition, where they will renew their rivalry with Puerto Rico on June 10.