Federation Egyptienne de Volleyball

2008 Women’s junior African Nations Championship

Tunisia and Kenya achieves perfect start

Nairobi, Kenya, September 9, 2008- It was test worth nail biting as Kenya sustained persistent pressure from their rivals Seychelles before securing a 3-0 win (25-20, 25-15, 25-23) as the Africa junior women volleyball championship started at the Moi international Sports centre, Kasarani. Tunisia set their first victory in straight sets in a delayed match due late release of the Senegalese team from the airport.

Kenya vs. Seychelles 3-1

Rusty Kenyans struggled to settle into the game as they allowed Seychelles to come from behind and tie at 6-6. Seychelles captain Bonne Marielle engineered the crush of Kenyan blocks as she scored point after point. However ,Kenya captain Evelyn Makuto leadership skills as she guided Kenya to a 7-6 lead at the first technical time out.

Kenya suffered with poor basic skills like touching the net, overstepping and poor service to allow Seychelles to gain points. However, things changed for Kenya after thebreather as Seychelles coach JM Roche talk inspired the players to see themtake a 11-14 lead with Marielle, Nourren Hillary and Lesferance Flora towered over the net.

Things changed for Kenya as setter Nelly Nafula restored control in Kenya’s half and fed Kamamuss Brenda and Doreen Khaemba who picked up points. Kenya tied at 17-17 beforeSeychelles time out. But the trend did not stop as the Kenyan reigned supreme to open a two-point lead and pile pressure on the visitors. Susan Atemba scored the winning point to see Kenya win 25-20.

In the second set, Kenya regained composure and took the game to the Seychelles side as. It was Khaemba and Makuto who dominated the proceedings as the Kenyan ruled the roost to take a 8-6 lead at the first technical time out. Efforts by Roche to make substitutions were not enough as the Kenyan front line opened fire to take a16-10 lead at the second technical time out.

With improved reception and strong service, Kenya displayed their best show as they took advantage of injury to Seychelles Flora who was substituted by Toussaine Vallarie to land several points to lead 21-13. Two consecutive time outs by Seychelles coach did not slow the game as strong spiking of Makuto and Kamamusa sealed Kenya’s fate allowing coach Paul Bitok to test all his players in an aim to rest them for the Egypt match tomorrow. Kenya went on to win the second set25-15.

With Seychelles resolved to losing, they turned to their small but audible cheering squad for inspiration and picked the first two points. However, Kenya reorganized to see Kamamuss score three quick points from the right position to tie at 4-4. But Seychelles took the next point with efficient blocks from Valary and Costance Lormina. High jumps by Kenyan Khaemba and good blocks combination of Makuto and Chemtai Ndiema secured Kenya a 8-6 lead at the first technical time out.

Again it was Seychelles that started the point hunt with their captain proving to be crucial in the team struggle to save face. But their sojourn was cut short with through their own mistakes as they failed to cover up at backcourt with Sofola Belstania and Libero Samura Ledras being caught off guard. But they recovered to take a 12-10 lead. Kenya held on to tie 12-12 capitalizing on their rival’s mistakes. Both teams went to the breather with Kenya enjoying a slim lead of16-15.

Both teams traded carefully not keen to make mistakes as the game went to the last minutes tying at 18-18 and 19-19. With Seychelles getting the first edge in the set at 20-21over poor Kenya defending, coach Paul Bitok called for a technical time out to take the pressure off his players. The breather was crucial for Kenya as the two as they sealed off Seychelles penetration over the net to win 25-23.

“We played well and it is a big incentive for our players to start with a win. Now the challenge if ahead as we meet champions Egypt. But with such a perfect start, we hope to give Egypt a run for their money,” said Bitok.

However, his Seychelles counterpart Roche said, Kenya was a stronger side and his team was in the country on a learning mission.

“We will improve in the successive matches. My reception and service was not good. That is what opened up holes in our defense,” he said.

Tunisia vs. Senegal 3-0

Tunisia joined Kenya with a perfect start as they dismissed fatigued Senegal in straight sets in first day matches of the Africa women junior championship at Kasarani in Nairobi.

Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) technical director Howyda Mondy turned down an appeal by Senegal to postpone their matches. This meant that the West Africans were thrown in the deep end after a 38-hour wait at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport over the acquisition of their travel Visa.

Senegal had no answers to Tunisia questions as they relinquished their stubbornness to see them go down fighting 3-0 sets of 25-17, 25-15 and 25-17. However, they started strongly and pushed rivals Tunisia to the corner as they went three points clear. But mistakes in reception cost them as Tunisia clawed back into the game to level the scores at 3-3.

Tinisia’s Khaoula Jouini was instrumental from the right attack position as fatigue creeped into the Senegalese side to see the North Africans take a 8-5 lead at the first technical time out.

But, Senegal failed to settle as Tunisia took initiative to control the pace and action over the net with number Rahma Agrebi and Nouha Cherif landing several scores. This forced Senegal coach to call for a first technical time out with scores at 11-6. They went on to take a 16-10 lead at the breather.

With morale low, Senegal were reduced to see Tunisa committee mistakes for them to gain more points. Senegal’s setter Madeline Dacosta and Diop Mame Widocky could not coordinate efficient blocks over the net to allow Tunisia free access as Sonia Youssed Ben and captain Agrebi Fatma dominated to lead their team to 20-14.

Poor reception continued to dog, Senegal side as they struggled to match the skilful Tunisa who combined dodges from Faten and Khaoula nto see them win the set 25-17.

In second set, it was an easy ride over Senegal as Tunisia picked up from where they had left. Lack of blocks, poor reception and players’ own mistakes helped Tunisia to rush to a 4-0 lead to force their coach Sene Amadou to call for the first technical time out.

Tunisia coach Rached Chebbi had the chance to reshuffle his players as he eased off from the pressure. Senegal Tall Awa Awa netted their first point while Dacosta and Diop combined to have their first block of the match to have a 5-2 margin. But it was the only session that Senegal looked sharp as Tunisa rediscovered their groove to go full throttle and claim a 8-4 lead the breather.

Lack of concentration in Tunisia side helped Senegal to get some inspiration and leveled the scores at 8-8. But Tunisia regained their form to claim a 14-10 lead by the time Sene called for time out. It was 16-12 for Tunisia at second time out. The North Africans held on to win 25-15.

A relaxed Rached brought in new players in the third set as he team sensed victory. Libero Meriam Miladi showed her skills collecting all the backcourt balls and steadying their reception as they went to 8-3 lead at the first technical timeout.

The effect of their long flight from Senegal and stay at the airport clearly taking toll, Sene watched helplessly as his side poor coordination and lack of shrpness helped their rivals to take a 16-5 lead at the second breather. Tunisia went on to claim the third set winning 25-17.