The Hindu : Sport / Volleyball : Karnataka boys dethrone TN

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 30, 2007
ePaper

Sport

Sport - Volleyball

Karnataka boys dethrone TN

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: Defending champion for the last three years, Tamil Nadu was dethroned by last three year's runner-up Karnataka by three sets to two in a thrilling final match in the National sub-junior volleyball championships at the WBVA courts here on Sunday. Haryana girls subdued West Bengal 3-1 to retain the title.

In an exciting encounter, Karnataka conceded the second and third set after winning the first.

Showing great resilience and courage during crucial points, Karnataka recovered remarkably to win the fourth and outplayed TN in the final set.

Karnataka captain and setter V. Suresh, banking on his experience of playing in his second Nationals, kept Karnataka in the hunt with some superb setting which was fully expolited by R. Sharad Shetty, D.S. Vikash and S.H. Mahanth. All three excelled in spiking and blocking.

With backcourt defence playing spasmodically, it was the attackers who took Karnataka to victory.

TN profited through its setter A.B. Packiaraj, who came up with some intelligent drops in crucial moments apart from keeping the attack going on. Barefooted A. Singu Durai was outstanding in spiking and his variation in attack took the opposition by surprise many a time. The brittle temperament of the TN boys finally put paid to its aspiration of winning the title for the fourth time.

The results: Final: Boys: Karnataka bt TN 25-20, 16-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-10. Third place: UP bt WB 25-15, 25-13, 25-17.

Girls (Final): Haryana bt WB 23-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-17. Third place: Kerala bt TN 25-21, 25-21, 21-25, 23-25, 15-11.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport