Malkia Strikers spike Algeria to get campaign off to a flying start

The national women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, got off to a flying start at the Women’s African Volleyball Nations Championship following a straight sets win against Algeria on Tuesday evening as the biennial tournament served off at the 6th October Indoor Arena in Cairo, Egypt.

The record nine-time Africa champions carrying a sense of duty to atone for the country’s sporting image following the Harambee Stars’ inglorious exit from the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) thumped the North African side with sets of 25-19, 25-21, 25-21 to settle the score.

The East African queens under the tutelage of Italian coach Shailene Ramdoo controlled the match from onset to the final whistle to underline their quest of reclaiming the title they lost to hosts Cameroon two years ago.

Malkia will face Botswana on Wednesday from 5pm before winding up preliminary matches against holders Cameroon on Thursday with the latter scheduled to play Algeria in their second match.

Earlier on at the same venue, defending champions Cameroon edged Botswana 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-10) in the opening match of the biennial competition that has attracted seven teams.

Tuesday results

Cameroon 3-0 Botswana

Kenya 3-0 Algeria

Pool A

Egypt

Morocco

Senegal

Pool B

Cameroon

Kenya

Algeria

Botswana