2007 Women’s World Championship


U.S. cruise past the improving Kenya

Hamamatsu, Japan, November 4, 2007 - Kenya's woes continued in the World Cup as they faced the unbeaten United States, who were in no mood to be merciful at Sendai City Gymnasium, crushing the African champions 25-9, 25-20, 25-10 in the fourth day of the 2007 Women’s World Cup on Tuesday.

Kenya's troubles continued from the start, although reception -- their main problem to date -- was not a problem early on. But faced with the skills and power of the United States, they had trouble competing and were 8-1 down at the first technical timeout. Ogonna Nnamani continued her good form for the U.S. and Danielle Scott-Arruda also got in the groove early on. Kenya's lone point out of the first 10 came through Catherine Wanjiru. Lydia Maiyo added another and two U.S. errors brought a couple more. But the U.S. were on cruise control and with Kenya experiencing setting and defensive problems, the Americans sailed into an easy lead. Nnamani finished the set off with two convincing spikes.

The Kenyans dug in at the start of the second set, taking the lead at 3-2 on a service ace by Brackcides Khadambi and then 4-2 as the U.S. blocked Dorcas Ndasaba but then lost the ball as it bounced up. The Americans seemed to have taken their foot off the gas pedal while the Kenyans continued to fight -- as they have done throughout the tournament. Both sides committed errors as the scores remained close, but Ndasaba came up with three very impressive spikes to level the scores at 15-15 and give the U.S. something to think about. The Kenyans were defending well but still prone to errors and let the U.S. edge ahead 19-16, but Edna Rotich came up with a big spike and Khadambi pounced well on an American reception error. Ndasaba then drew the teams level again with a big thump to make the scores 19-19 from where the U.S. again took the advantage, despite great defensive work by the Kenyans. Jennifer Joines and Logan Tom advanced the U.S. and two Kenyan errors handed them the set.

Joines helped the U.S. into an early lead in the third set and Tayyiba Haneef-Park and Kimberly Glass added a couple of huge spikes as the U.S. led 8-4 at the first technical timeout. Despite a great spike by Rotich, the U.S. pressed ahead, with Joines doing excellent work on offense and defense. The Kenyans had glimpses of hope with spikes by Ndasaba and Rotich, but the U.S. were pressing on with the business of winning and Heather Bown ended the match with two pulverizing spikes.



Photo Caption

Doris Palang'a (KEN) spikes against Jennifer Joines and Kimberly Glass (USA)