The national women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, served off the Paris Olympic Games preparations on the wrong footing after losing 3-0 sets against Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals of the Challenger Cup held Thursday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in the Philippines.
The Puerto Ricans started the match strongly, thrashing Malkia Strikers 25-20 in the first set and 25-19 in the second set.
Thunderous spikes from Kenya's outside hitter Pamela Adhiambo in the third set were not enough as Puerto Rico fought back to win the set 27-25, ultimately winning the match in straight sets.
Hard-hitting opposite star Pamela Adhiambo made an impressive international debut outside Africa as she came off the bench in the first set to register 22 scores for her side.
Despite Kenya's straight-sets loss to the eventual winners, the Opposite player emerged as the match's second top scorer, highlighting her remarkable talent and potential on the global stage.
The ten-time African champions will now shift their focus to the Paris Games and are scheduled to play build up matches with local clubs from the Philippines.
The team will then head to Miramas, Southern France, for a final Team Kenya training camp ahead of the Games scheduled to run from July 26 to August 11.
Kenya will face two-time Olympic champions Brazil, former champions Japan and former European champions Poland in Group B.
Malkia Strikers punched Africa's sole ticket for the Summer Games during last year’s African Nations Championships held in Cameroon where they defeated the hosts 3-1 sets to clinch their record extending tenth continental title.