L. MathekaBarasa downplays Moim, Wisah exit, focused on title defence
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 06.02.21. | 07:26
Kenya Prisons beat KCB 3-1 in the season opening match to get their title defence campaign off to a good start
After holding their own against arch-rivals Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) who raided the wardresses camp for top talents in 2020, coach Josp Barasa believes the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) women’s league holders Kenya Prisons have what it takes to defend the title.
Malkia Strikers’ duo of skipper Mercy Moim and Edith Wisah decamped to KCB at the beginning of the abandoned 2020 and were in action against their former employer in the 2021 season-opening leg played on January 23 and 24. Despite facing a star-studded KCB, Prisons won the match 3-1.
“The two players were an integral part of the squad but their exit has not affected my squad. We had capable players who have since stepped up and taken their roles comfortably. Ann Lowem, Meldine Sande and Lorine Chebet are back in the squad and their availability has boosted our depth,” Barasa offered.
Lowem picked a nasty injury in 2017 during the Women’s Under 23 World Championship played between August 27 and September 3 in Ljubljana and Maribor, Slovenia. She made a return to active playing in the Prisons’ clash against KCB after being sidelined since then. Sande was also returning from maternity leave.
“Lowem did well, she was good in blocks and I am confident her form will return fully as she plays more matches. Chebet who missed the 2019 playoffs as she was in training school was also instrumental in the opening leg, so was Pamela Masaisai and Yvonne Wavinya,” said Barasa.
Wavinya who has previously played as a right attacker has since switched to left attacking and her reception is getting better if her performance against KCB is anything to go by. Barasa says their focus has shifted from the win against KCB and the team is now preparing for their next fixture where they take on returnees Nairobi Water and Nairobi Prisons on February 27 and 28 respectively.
“We are working on blocks, defense and service. I am also working on finding the right pairings in the squad for the best results against the remaining opponents,” added Barasa.
