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Day 2
Egypt surprised the
organizers and Seychelles achieved first victory
Nairobi, Kenya, September 10, 2008- Poor reception and
lack of blocks by Kenya cost them the match against
Egypt in the second day of the 2008 Women’s Junior
African Nations Championship here at at Kasarani Hall in
Nairobi, Kenya on Tuesday.
Egypt vs. Kenya 3-1
 The
defending champions, Egypt were in top form as they
overcame the local girls 25-19, 27-29, 25-22 and 25-20.
Kenya’s head coach, Paul Bitok lamented over their
laxity in these vital departments, in a match he thought
his side deserved to win. “In that match, we had very
bad reception. I don’t know what is going on because if
it carries on like this we will perform badly. But that
was a very closely contested match and I believe that we
are still firmly on the chase,” he said. Kenya struggled
to get their game together while their opponents looked
the better organized of the two teams as Abd Nahla led
them to an 8-6 lead at the first technical timeout.
Slowly, the local girls clawed back the points as their
defending improved and some of their spikes started to
find their mark. In truth, many of the points were
coming from errors as both sides struggled to find their
best form. But the Kenyan side dug in midway through the
set and pulled back to tie twice, at 9-9 and 10-10.
Elbitar Dina of Egypt took control, setting up match
point with a glorious spike that allowed her side grab
25-19 for the first set. Even behind the simple serves
of Dina, the ladies in red found it hard to mount an
effective attack at the start of the second set and
trailed to an 8-5 deficit at the first technical time
out, with Nahla standing out in defense and offense.But
a series of combined attacks from Makuto, Chemtai Ndiema
and Brendah Kamamos helped the young Kenyans force a
11-11 tie, before taking a 13-11 lead.Kenya continued to
pick up points inspired by captain, Everlyne Makuto and
were finally enjoying their volleyball and were in no
mood to let the Egyptians join their party. The hosts
continued to enjoy improved setting from Nelly Nafula
and Chemtai also fired down a pair of good spikes to
take a 16-14 lead up at the second break, before
deservedly winning the set 29-27. Come the third set and
things started to look up for the Kenyans who continued
with the lead advantage when Makuto hit a hefty spike
that made the score 3-1. Suddenly, they were loosing
their good volleyball and their oppornets matched them
all the way, to lead 8-5 by the first technical time
out. Receiving errors allowed the margin to widen and
Kenya were unlikely to put together a long enough rally
to get past their well-oiled rivals, watching in
disbelief as their 3-3 tie was cancelled with a 6-18 by
the second technical time-out.This must have jostled
their minds up, that they picked point after another to
inch closer at 15-18. But their hopes to seal their
second set went up in smoke as they eventually lost
25-22. In the fourth set, Kenyans came a rejuvated side
as they came from 3-5 down, and scored three points in
succession to lead 8-5. But that wasn’t enough as Egypt
won 25-20
Seychelles vs. Senegal 3-1
 Senegal
have been bundled out of contention for the Africa
Junior women volleyball championship after they lost
their second match in a row against Seychelles 3-1 of
25-17, 25-20, 19-25 and 25-21.The West Africans started
the match strongly, but could not equal the composure
and skills their rivals were displaying. After rushing
to a 5-2 lead, Seychelles were able to seal off the
loopholes and level the scores at 6-6.Senegal’s Magnette
Mbow and Mbayane Ndoye were strong over the net as they
held out to deny Seychelles the crucial points and took
a 8-7 lead at the first technical time out. However,
things were sour for Senegal on return as Seychelles
rediscovered their top gear and took the game to their
opponent’s court dictating the pace over the net. At the
second breather Seychelles Marielle Bonne, Hilary
Nourrick and Lormina Constance were exceptional in
blocks and spikes as they restricted their rivals to
gain points only through their own mistakes. Seychelles
won the set 25-17. The pace was restored in the second
set as Senegal coach Amadou Sene tried to slow down the
game with substitution. With a 8-3 lead Seychelles
looked set to stroll to the victory with easy. However,
a technical time out by Sene did the trick as they
Senegalese came back stronger and resolved to dodges
though Awa Awa and Madelin Dacosta. Seychelles led 14-11
and 16-13.Seychelles coach J. M Roche advised her team
to improve blocks and this was Senegal’s nightmare as
they lost several point to stand at 21-14 by the time
their coach called for time out. It helped to slow down
Seychelles sojourn but it was not enough to stop the
island country from victory of 25-20.The third set saw
Senegal stage a better resilience but still measured
poorly in reception and court positioning. But after the
settling down, it was business as usual as they sort to
claim Seychelles scalps. But after a fine start, they
lost their rhythm and allowed Seychelles to take control
of the game and lead 11-12 and 13-16. But again the game
tilted to Senegal side as they fought save face and
restore the game in their favour. They leveled the
scores at 17-17 and went on to win the set 25-19 to make
it 2-1.Poor service by Seychelles proved to be their
Achilles handing Senegal points with service out of
court. Salimatata Ndoye coordinated well with setter to
claim a 8-5 lead. But bad reception from Senegal Libero
Tall Awa Awa saw the Seychelles level the scores at 8-8
and made it 9-8 before Sene called for time out. The two
sides tied at 14-14 before Seychelles surged forward to
take 16-14 lead. It went point after point as Senegal
gave it every strength but a stubborn Seychelles held
out to claim a 25-21 win.
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