The Hindu : Sport / Volleyball : KSEB wins a thriller, clinches title

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 10, 2007
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KSEB wins a thriller, clinches title

Special Correspondent

CHAMPION STUFF: The KSEB women put up a splendid performance to emerge winners. — Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

CHENNAI: Surviving a formidable challenge and several tense moments, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) women annexed the Kalimark Trophy in the St. Joseph's-P. John memorial all-India volleyball tournament at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Saturday.

Nothing mirrors eloquently the gallant performance of Central Railway than the recovery it staged from a two-set deficit to stretch the rival to full distance.

The fight back and a near trophy triumph almost brought the big crowd to their feet many a time.

What really contributed to KSEB's victory was the teamwork, unlike the rival, which leaned heavily on the tall and lissom Priyanka Bora. It is not easy to pick out an individual in KSEB for commendation. If that is a must, then the verdict would go in favour of Ashwini.

Sizzling display

Displaying palpable spring in the jump for smashes and going in adroitly for the individual blocks, she was the key player of the Kerala outfit. Almost throughout the five-set contest, Ashwini made her presence felt.

Equally commendable was the show of Gisha — more for her midcourt smashes — and the usually facile server Prajisha.

If someone in the big crowd had thought that the evening was wasted when KSEB picked up two sets like taking a walk in the park, the impression was soon dispelled. Taking full advantage of the gaps in the midfield and slack work out near the net-both for individual and joint blocks — Central Railway raced ahead.

Vigour and verve

If Priyanka was the cynosure, V. Hema in the defence and Vaishali as setter contributed their mite to enhance the vigour and verve. Central won the third and fourth sets at 25-18, 27-25 after a tense battle for supremacy. It was a nerve wracking fourth set, especially from 22-22.

With a possible reverse starring in the face, KESB tightened up in the decider and won 15-9 and the prize money of Rs.20,000. Central picked up Rs.15,000, while Western and Southern earned Rs.12,000 and Rs.10,000 respectively for their third and fourth places.

The results: Women: Final: KSEB bt Central Railway 25-21, 25-18, 18-25, 25-27, 15-9. Third place: Western Railway bt Southern Railway 25-21, 24-26, 18-25, 25-22, 15-12.

Individual prizes (Rs.1,000 each): Best Libero: Priya Divakar (W. Rly.); Defender: Prijisha (KSEB); All-rounder: Priyanka Bora (C. Rly).

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