Bengal fumble in final
Calcutta: Bengal women lost to Kerala in the 14th National Youth Volleyball Championship final, at the SAI courts, here on Monday.
The Bengal team failed to reproduce the kind of verve they showed during the semi-final victory against Haryana, on Sunday. They lost to the Kerala 12-25, 20-25, 16-25.
Bengal had their task cut out as the Kerala team towered over them. Moreover, their libero proved to be the weakest link as she failed to cover much ground.
Bengal did provide some resistance in the second and third games, but failed to sustain the pressure. At one stage in the second game, Bengal were leading 15-10, but Kerala worked their way back to win the game 25-20. In the third game, Kerala broke Bengal’s serve and then held their own for 13 consecutive points. By then, it was all too late!
Having stood third in last year’s tournament, Monday’s result is definitely a step forward. A fact acknowledged by Bengal captain Kamalika Debnath.
Kamalika said, “Our defence failed us. But they were too good. One must remember that they’re much older than us”.
“We hope to win next year’s meet.” added the 1st year Arts student.
Juhi Shaw, playing as a setter for the team, impressed with her performance. The class 11 student displayed tremendous innovation on court and is definitely one to watch out for in the future.
She seemed gracious, even in defeat, when she said, “It’s sad. But I’m happy to be playing in the final…”
In the men’s category, Kerala failed to capitalise, in the closely fought encounter, after clinching the first game 25-15. UP fought their way back early in the second game as they churned out winners from audacious angles.
That their first serve was lethal, helped. Moreover, UP’s libero positioned himself in brilliant areas to negate all that the Kerala setters and attackers had to offer.
Results
Men’s final: Uttar Pradesh bt Kerala 15-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-21. Third place play-off: Tamil Nadu bt Karnataka 20-25, 25-20, 17-25, 25-21, 15-10.
Women’s final: Kerala bt Bengal 25-12, 25-20, 25-16. Third place play-off: Tamil Nadu bt Haryana 25-23, 25-11, 25-22.
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