The Hindu : Sport / Volleyball : Shibi's best yet to come

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 06, 2007
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Shibi's best yet to come

P.K. Ajith Kumar

KOZHIKODE: K.J. Shibi's sterling performance against GKM Foundation, Chennai in the National Volleyball League encounter last Thursday at Payyanur showed how one individual could influence a team game. Two days later, she did the same thing, at the same place, at the same time. This time around, the opposition was much stronger though and the game lasted longer — it was decided in five sets.

Central Railway, like the other teams at Payyannur, couldn't do much against Shibi's power-packed jump serves and lethal smashes. It was a game her team needed to win, to qualify for the Super League, which opens in Kochi on Wednesday. The senior international — she has been playing for India for the last two years — admits her performaces at Payyanur were among her best.

"I haven't scored so many points directly from my serves before as I did here and I am delighted that I could do well when the team needed it most," says the captain. "My aim was to lead my side to the Super League."

The 24-year-old is eagerly looking forward to the Super League in Kochi which is her hometown. "It would be great to play before my parents, relatives and friends," says the girl who is considered as one of the finest counter attackers in Indian women's volleyball today.

The SAI (Kollam) product reveals she hasn't always been a counter attacker. "I was a setter and then a centre-blocker before I discovered my true calling, just over a couple of years ago. I have realised that I am at my best when I play as a counter attacker."

Her coach at Western Railway, P.P. Pradeep Kumar, agrees with her. "There are very few Indian players who are as effective as her in that position," he says. "I believe she has the potential to be an even better player."

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