The team heads to camp next week ahead of training camp in Morocco. Africa Club Championships best middle blocker Trizah Atuka and her Kenya Pipeline setter Rose Magoi have made a comeback to the national volleyball team, Malkia Strikers.
Atuka raptured her anterior cruciate and posterior cruciate ligaments in 2019 forcing her out of action for two years, returning in 2021 for league action.She, however, missed the Tokyo Olympics qualifiers and the competition itself.
She was also out of the World Championships team that played in Netherlands. Also making a return to the team is Esther Mutinda who last played in the national team in 2021 during the Africa Nations Cup in Rwanda as is Leonida Kasaya who missed the World Championships.
While naming a provisional squad of 20, Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) president Charles Nyaberi says the team is still under FIVB sponsorship for the upcoming competitions.
“This is the beginning of the journey to qualify for next year’s Olympics. The focus is not just on the African competition as we need ranking points towards Paris 2024.
We had a really tough time coming up with the 20 players as this has been a very competitive year for both the youngsters and the experienced players,” Bitok offered.
The tactician had lauded youngsters who impressed this year in the playoffs, league and club championships and making it to team.
“Players like Gladys Ekaru who has improved massively after her World Championships show, Esther Mutinda who is back from maternity leave, Loice Simiyu who has made herself a mainstay at Kenya Pipeline as well as Atuka who missed the Olympics and World Championships out with injury have proven to everyone that they deserve to be here,” Bitok offered.
Setters. Emmaculate Nekesa – KCB Esther Mutinda-KCB. Veronica Kilabat- KDF Rose Magoi- Kenya Pipeline
Opposite attackers. Sharon Chumba – Aris Thessaloniki, Greece . Loice Simiyu – Kenya Pipeline. Pamela Adhiambo- Kenya Pipeline
Left Attackers . Moim Mercy – KCB. Veronica Adhiambo – Tarsus Belediyespor, Turkey . Juliana Namutira, KCB. Leonida Kasaya – Pipeline. Jemimah Siango – DCI . Yvone Wavinya – Prisons Libero. Delphine Misoki- Prisons. Agripina Kundu – Pipeline
Middle blockers. Edith Wisah – KCB. Belinda Barasa – KCB. Lorine Chebet – Prisons . Gladys Ekaru – Pipeline. Trizah Atuka – Pipeline
Coach– – Paul Bitok.
