Kenya women's national volleyball team head coach Geoffrey Omondi has explained fielding what observers termed a 'fringe team' against Zambia in the opening match of the CAVB Women's African Nations Volleyball Championship, held on Tuesday, 25 August, at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsOmondi, who also coaches Kenya Pipeline Corporation (KPC) chose to rest his key players including captain Meldina Sande.Malkia Strikers aim guns at Mali as CAVB Women's African Nations Championship enters day threeNonetheless, the six who started the match put on a strong performance to deliver the first two sets before the big guns came on for the final set with Kenya securing a 3-0 win.Speaking after the match, Omondi defended his fielding, choosing to heap praise on the starters.##NAJAVA_MECA_9915603##“It is a good start for us in our quest to qualify for the Olympics. The girls did well, and hopefully we continue that way.I do not have a main team. Everyone can play; it just depends on the game and the opponent. We want to give everyone a chance to play and to build a winning mentality in the whole team,” said Omondi.Malkia Strikers call on Kenyans to fill Kasarani as title defence gathers paceThe experienced tactician also played down the pressure that the Malkia Strikers are facing to ensure the title remains in Kenya.“There is not much pressure on us to retain the title because we have trained well. We just want to urge our supporters to show up in large numbers and push us as the seventh player,” he added.##NAJAVA_MECA_9915621##On her part, Terry Tata, who plays as an opposite revealed her ambitions of making her debut at the Olympics with the 2028 Los Angeles edition in mind.“Personally, it is my dream to play at the Olympics, and I would urge my teammates that we continue with the teamwork to ensure we head back there,” said Tata.Cameroon underline title credentials as CAVB Women's African Nations Volleyball Championship gather steamTata, who was introduced at the tail end of the second set, much to the jubilation of the home crowd, also admitted to getting flattered by their gesture.“That was a big motivation. I did not expect it, but nevertheless I liked it. I now have to repay that faith with performance.”##NAJAVA_MECA_9915627##The KCB Women's Volleyball star also took time to issue a rallying call to the Kenyan faithful.“We thank the fans for the love and support that they have shown us. May they continue coming, and we promise that we will not disappoint them,” she remarked.
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