Date:01/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/01/stories/2008120160521800.htm

Sport - Volleyball

IOB wins title amidst controversy

— Photo: V. Ganesan

Armed Women Police won the women’s title.

Chennai: Controversy over a disputed line call when the final was poised for climactic finish robbed the Sathyambama University- State volleyball championship of its charm, even as Indian Overseas Bank retained the men’s title at the University Union courts on Sunday.

The contest was marred by frequent arguments — in the final minutes, Indian Bank even threatened a walkout.

For the record, IOB beat Indian Bank 27-29, 25-18, 25-18, 17-25, 16-14.

Earlier, Armed Police women won their second title in a row beating St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 15-25, 25-19, 28-26, 25-16.

Inadequate lighting and the criss-crossing lines in the multi-purpose stadium only tested referee and the linesmen. From the start, it was clear that the officials would invite protests at every turn and that proved true.

Neither side played to its potential, save for a few sparkling moments here and there. IOB was definitely out of its rhythm, especially while serving. Even the usually proficient round-arm server Naveen Raj failed repeatedly although late in the match he showed greater control.

The star spiker, Ukkrapandian came off with a few sizzling shots, but it was the veteran Kumaran who stood out with spectacular smashing and in blocking. IOB might have been handicapped by the absence of Natarajan and Sivabalan — the former, said to be indisposed, was forced to play in the fourth set.

It was touch-and-go in the final set when it recovered superbly from 3-7 to 10-all and to 14-14. It was at this point that a fierce smash by Sai Krishnan, easily Indian Bank’s most outstanding player, was declared out. The fracas that followed forced the officials to intervene and persuade Indian Bank to continue. In the end, it proved so near and yet so far for Indian Bank which had looked a much better side than IOB.

It was consistency from Deepa and support from Binu Thomas and Manju George that helped Armed Police prevail over St. Joseph’s. Coach Ms. Parimala conceded that the team had failed to set itself well enough in the opening set.

Other results: Men: Third Place match: SDAT bt SBI 25-19, 23-25, 25-23; Semifinals: IOB bt SDAT 25-17, 25-21, 20-25, 25-11; Indian Bank bt SBI 25-7, 25-22, 25-11. Women: Third Place match: Panimalar bt GKM 25-18, 25-20.