The Kenya women’s volleyball team,Malkia Strikers, lost by three straight sets to Puerto Rico in their opening match of the FIVB Challenger Cup played today in Manila Philipines.
Kenya lost the first set 25-20 and despite mounting a comeback they lost the second set 25-19.
Olympic bound Malkia began the third set brightly and took the lead for the first time when they raced to a 12-8 lead but Puerto Rico rallied from behind to level the score 19-19 before finally winning it 27-25.
Following the loss Kenya exits the knock out tournament that has attracted 8 teams.
Kenya under the tutelage of head coach Japhet Munala now switches their focus to the forthcoming Olympic games where they are expected to head to Miramas,Southern France for a 3 week training camp.
In Paris,Kenya will play Tokyo 2020 silver winners Brazil, Poland and Japan in group B.
They open their campaign against Brazil on July 29th before facing Poland two days later and then wind up their group campaign against Japan on August 3rd at the South Paris Arena.
