Kenya’s women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, wrapped up their World Championship campaign on a triumphant note, overpowering Vietnam 3-0 in their final Pool G clash on Wednesday afternoon in Thailand.

The victory was not just a much-needed win it was a historic one. For the first time in the country’s World Championship history, the team secured both a set and a match win in the same edition of the tournament, sending a strong message of progress and promise for Kenyan volleyball.

Ranked 26th in the world, Malkia Strikers entered the match against Vietnam determined to salvage pride after earlier defeats in the pool.

They had fallen 3-0 to Germany in their opening match, before battling bravely in a 3-1 loss to Poland. Despite not progressing past the group stage, the team’s spirited display against Poland, where they claimed a rare set win, and their emphatic performance against Vietnam, stood out as major milestones.

Against Vietnam, Kenya showed composure and control throughout.

The opening set was tightly contested, with both teams trading points before the Strikers edged ahead 25-23.

They carried that momentum into the second set, winning it 25-22, before closing out the match in dominant fashion with a 25-18 scoreline.

Head coach Geoffrey Omondi hailed the result as a turning point for the team and a signal of greater things to come.

“The win restores confidence in our national team back at home because apparently, from this team, we’ve never won a match in the World Championships not even a set. So this time round, we’ve won a set from Poland and we’ve won a match,” Omondi said.

“It restores confidence to show the players who are even back at home, even the younger ones, that it’s possible to play well and win.”

Kenya finishes third in Pool G with one win and three points. Germany and Poland topped the group with two wins each, advancing to the next round. Vietnam, winless in all three outings, placed fourth.