Puerto Rico had the edge in WGP Group 2D match against Kenya, but both teams enjoyed their game in Włocławek
Włocławek, Poland, June 10, 2016 - Puerto Rico claimed their fourth consecutive win in this year's FIVB World Grand Prix, defeating Kenya in straight sets (25-11, 25-20, 25-22) in the first game of Group 2D tournament in Włocławek.
After getting schooled by Puerto Rico in the first set, Kenya showed their game and delivered a good show, while both sides visibly enjoyed their time in the court. Krina Ocasio scored the most points in the match (10), however it was her teammate Stephanie Enright (9), who caught the eye of the organizers and was awarded the Most Impressive Player title in this match.
The first game of the World Grand Prix’s second weekend in Poland started with a point by point fight. Both teams played a bit nervously, but Kenyan technical errors gave a five-point advantage to Puerto Rico at the first technical time-out. The team from America paced the game and made a comfortable lead, but blue-shirted players did not lose the motivation and a positive attitude. The set ended at 25-11 thanks to the winning serve by Stephanie Enright.
Second part began with a surprising 5-2 for Kenya. Violet Makuto showed her skills in spike and her teammates cheered after every point earned. Puerto Ricans tried to get back on winning track, but the African team improved in each element. Also the elder of Makuto sisters, Everlyne killed well and clearly earned respect of the opponents block. At the second technical time-out Juan Carlos Nunez’s players took their first one point lead in this set and worked from there, till the end at 25-20.
Kenya did not lose their spirit and tried to show it in the best possible way, but Puerto Rico established a cushion of three points at 8-5 and systematically added next. In the middle stage of the set they lost their focus, gave some free points to the African team and forced coach Nunez to take a time-out. His players calmed down and the team captain Yarimar Rosa encouraged the rest to step up their efforts in spike. Kenyans tried to reduce the gap, but Santana Daly ended the whole match with a kill at 25-22 and the Puerto Ricans claimed their fourth victory in a row in this edition of the FIVB World Grand Prix.