Date:14/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/14/stories/2008031461282400.htm

Sport - Volleyball

Kerala women spikers begin in style

BANGALORE: Defending champion Kerala women began in style in the 15th South Zone senior National volleyball championships here on Thursday.

In a brilliant display of aggressive and attacking volleyball, Kerala humbled Andhra Pradesh 25-15, 25-9, 25-18 in a match that was interrupted for a brief while as the western gallery came crashing down midway through the second set.

Fortunately no one was injured and the match resumed after 12 minutes. But then the State association and the enthusiastic organisers could well ensure that there are no more such incidents.

Kerala powered by the spiking by Sheeba and Aswani Kumar brooked no resistance from the AP women.

While Gisha Jose packed some power in her smashes, Tiji Raju counter attacked with venom, while libero Merin Thomas was at her defensive best.

Easy for Karnataka men

Earlier, host Karnataka men pounded a hapless Puducherry 25-22, 25-13, 25-14 in under an hour. Sagar was brilliant at the net and today more than the host’s attack it was the defence which worked to precision. Setter M. Vinod too did a good job.

Late on Wednesday night, Kerala men outplayed Puducherry 25-22, 25-19, 25-13, while TN and Karnataka women had it easy against AP and Puducherry respectively.

TN downed AP 25-17, 25-7, 25-17, while Karnataka led by veteran Shaila Thomas carved out a 25-10, 25-8, 25-12 win over Puducherry. — Special Correspondent