Malkia Strikers head coach Paul Bitok has urged his team to play their final pool A match against Puerto Rico with the same intensity they had during their loss to Italy.
Kenya lost three sets to none on Thursday, September 29, however, the team's head coach noted that the results against Italy were encouraging.
He also urged his team to remain focused in order to scoop up the required three points when they face Puerto Rico on Saturday, September 1.
Also Read: We Had to Earn Our Respect- Malkia Strikers Captain Speaks After Thrashing Cameroon
“I hope we will play the same way we did against Italy. We put up a good fight and the scores were encouraging. We were not expecting to post such results at all because we did not want to push the players much.
“I encourage the players to keep focus and concentrate for we are dying to make history on Saturday,” Bitok stated.
A victory over Puerto Rico will see Malkia Strikers advance to the second round for the first time in history.
The coach also highlighted that the decision to rest the team's captain, Mercy Moim, and middle blocker, Edith Wisa, against Italy was in order to preserve them for the final group stage match.
Bitok also gave Yvonne Wavinya and their World Championships debuts against Italy.
Kenya has only registered one win at the women's volleyball tournament in the Netherlands, defeating the African champions Cameroon.
The win against Cameroon was the country's second win in seven appearances at the World Championship.