Kenya get hard-earned tie-break win over Peru

Komaki, Japan, September 6, 2015 – Kenya showed determination that rewarded them with their second victory in the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Cup after they defeated Peru 3-2 (23-25, 29-27, 25-27, 25-23, 15-13) at the Park Arena Komaki on Sunday.

Mercy Moim delivered 19 points that was built from 18 solid kills and an ace, and Lydia Maiyo and Ruth Jepngetich added 17 points each for the Kenyans hard-earned victory. Karla Ortiz of Peru topped all scorers with 20 markers.

Kenya showed superb blocking but Peru unleashed complex floaters that caused troubles for the Kenyan receivers. Peru edged Kenya in the first set with a slim margin at 25-23. Kenya were more methodical on their attacks in the second set, by spiking off the Peruvian block and displacing their opponents’ defence with drop shots. Kenya really fought hard even though Peru had a sudden upsurge that extended the set. At 27-all, Kenya scored the final two points to secure the second set 29-27.

Peru took advantage of Kenya’s blunders at the net that established a 14-10 lead in the third set, but then the latter staged a 5-3 run that kept the score tight at 17-16. Peru got out of the tight encounter down the stretch after being exposed to a series of deadlocks and lead changes 27-25. After trailing Kenya the entire fourth set, Peru finally deadlocked at 20-all. Kenya, however, did not give up and extended the match to tie-break 25-23. Kenya endured a tight challenge by Peru in the deciding set and ended up with the win from a service ace 15-13.