The national women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, put up a spirited fight but went down 3-1 to world number three and former European champions Poland in their second Pool G match at the ongoing FIVB World Championships in Thailand on Monday evening.

Ranked 27th globally, Kenya entered the clash eager to bounce back from their 3-0 defeat to Germany in the opener.

After losing the first set 25-19, the Strikers roared back with a commanding 25-15 win in the second, showing glimpses of their potential against top opposition.

However, Poland regained control to seal the next two sets 25-15, 25-15 and secure the victory.

The result leaves Kenya winless after two rounds, sitting third in the standings on zero points alongside Vietnam, who also lost their opening match.

Group leaders Germany and Poland, both unbeaten with six points, have already secured progression to the next round, with only the top two advancing to the round of 16.

Malkia will now face Vietnam in their final Pool G fixture on Wednesday, August 26 (1 pm) as both sides battle to avoid finishing bottom of the group.

Malkia Strikers Head coach Geoffrey Omondi had this to say: “Bagging a set from the third-ranked country is indeed something, but I would have wanted a better result. I really wanted to win the fourth set and force a fifth, but unfortunately, it didn’t turn out that way,” said Omondi.