Kuwait were defeated by two-time champions United Arab Emirates on Monday in their first encounter of the Third GCC Women's Volleyball Championship hosted by Bahrain.
The squad of many new faces presented a valiant performance which was edged by the UAE throughout three straight sets at the five-nation tournament in Manama.
Experience was key to the achievement of the competition's reigning champions as the Kuwaiti side is full of many members taking part in an overseas event for the very first time, chief team delegate Amal Al-Marzouq told KUNA.
The Kuwaitis are also unlucky to be missing out on a number of key players to injury that, if available, would put the team in pole position for a medal at the very least, she added.
Meanwhile, hosts Bahrain beat Qatar also in three straight sets.
The unofficial women's sports event includes all Gulf states but Saudi Arabia.
Source: KUNA