Kenya’s women’s volleyball team “B” added to Kenya’s gold medal haul yesterday at the All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo, bouncing from a set down to beat Cameroon 3-1 (15-25, 25-14, 25-15 and 25-19) in the final at the Henry Elende Hall
It was a sweet revenge for the Kenya team who had lost to the Cameroonians 2-3 in the group stages.
Egypt beat Seychelles 3-0 (2517, 25-6, 25-15) to settle for the bronze medal.
The Kenyans made it to the final by beating Egypt 3-2 in a mouthwatering semifinal at the Masaba Diba complex here. In that match Kenya coach Paul Gitau fielded his strongest six with Chelagat Joan starting as a middle blocker, Gaudencia Makhoha as right attacker, Violet Makuto as the setter and Joy Luseneka Joy as middle blocker. Esther Mwombe stepping in as left attacker, and Judith Tarus as the Libero.
Egypt began the game on a high scoring 5 straight points without reply prompting Kenya to make the initial time out call. Mohammed Elshamy on the right attack was a constant threat to the Kenyan ladies lashing several shots that Mwombe and Luseneka found hard to deal with. However, buoyed by great blocks from Makuto and Mwombe the East Africans bounced back forcing the North African bench to make a time out call with the scores 11-10 in favour of Kenya.
The move did not make much improvement as the Kenyans took it 25-21. The Gitau girls started the second slowly trailing 5-8 at one point. Sensing danger, Mwombe was brought in for Makuto to help catapult the attack. Agility and good reception propelled the north Africans to a major comeback minutes after a time out called by their tactician Stahil Panchev. Fortunately the pep talk worked leading to Egypt squaring the match with a 27-25 score. As usual, the opening minutes were a big letdown for the East African, and at one point trailed 4-11 in the third set. The Egyptians proceeded to win it 26-24. The Kenyans responded with a 25-14 fourth set win. and wrapped up the match with a 25-11 fifth set win..