Malkia Strikers serve off against Puerto Rico in Challenger Cup

Malkia Strikers' trainer Janet Wanja instructs setter Emmaculate Nekesa. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya women's national volleyball team Malkia Strikers take on Puerto Rico on Thursday in the quarter-finals match of the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup in Manila, Philippines.

The Kenyan girls who are enroute to Miramas, France for the Paris Olympics camp will be out to improve on their 2023 sixth place finish.

Malkia Strikers coach Japheth Munala said that the Challenger Cup provides an opportunity for his charges to not only showcase their talent but also gauge themselves ahead of the Olympics.

"My expectations are to see them give their best, showcase their talent and enjoy while at it. This competition provides us an opportunity to see areas that we need to work on and enhance individual as well as team strengths," Munala said.

Kenya currently ranked 20th globally return to the event with an improved ranking having featured last year while at number 29. They, however, face an uphill task in today's encounter as they tackle Puerto Rico ranked five places above them.

Malkia Strikers will be seeking their first ever win against the Caribbeans who have triumphed against them in all their previous matches.

Kenya and Puerto Rico have met five times. Kenya's best performance against Islanders was during the 2022 FIVB World Championships where they snatched a set in a 3-1 loss.

In the second match of the day, Belgium will take on Sweden with winners of both ties set to clash in the semis.

With more players facing an axe before the team proceeds to Miramas for the camp, the players will also be battling for a place in the final Olympics squad.

Pipeline middle blocker Trizah Atuka will be eyeing success in her new role. Atuka will captain Malkia Strikers with the assistance of KCB's Edith Wisa who is also a middle blocker.

Battle for the ticket to Paris is expected to be very stiff as most players look to achieve that feat.

Captain Atuka is among the players who will be looking to make their Olympics debut. Others are Juliana Namutira, setters Esther Mutinda and Emmaculate Nekesa.

Seasoned libero Agripina Kundu of Kenya Pipeline and Linzy Jeruto of KCB will have the final chance to prove who is more deserving of the Paris ticket. One of the two is likely to be axed.

Outside hitter Leonida Kasaya, middle blockers Wisa and Lorine Chebet and opposite hitter Sharon Chepchumba will also have to be at their best as they seek to return to the Olympics.

The five are the only players from the Tokyo Olympics squad.