Sport - Volleyball

Karnataka men triumph

BANGALORE: Karnataka men overcame some early sluggishness before eking out a 25-17, 22-25, 25-19, 25-20 win over Kerala in the final men’s league encounter of the 15th South Zone Senior National volleyball championship at the Sree Durga Parmeshwari ground here on Sunday night.

Kerala having lost to Tamil Nadu earlier in the day (due to Saturday evening rains) needed a win in straight sets to force a three-way tie and be in contention.

Karnataka on the other hand needed just a set to clinch on better set ratio. But the host, with a packed gallery (despite northern stands collapsing) in attendance, did not disappoint the fans.

While captain Ganesh Rai came good with some telling smashes and a tight backline defence, it was once again the ‘thunderbolt’ Imtiaz Ahmed who dented the Kerala defence with some cracking smashes.

Kerala looked game for a fight. Haroon Rashid was once again its star, attacking from all sides with aplomb. But captain Hafeel and Arun hardly looked the part. It was left to Asish Cherian and Ragesh to fill in the void but the resistance did not last long.

While Imtiaz and Ganesh Rai packed power and punch in their smashes, Karthik and Sagar were crafty in finding the gaps in the rival defence. Vinod too provided able foil with some intelligent setting.

Only in the second set did Karnataka let its guard down and Kerala took advantage of it. Otherwise, it was Karnataka which had its nose in front though just marginally. — Special Correspondent

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu