Tags:
Journalism of Courage
CHENNAI, FEB 20: Services put up a splendid performance in their last outing, defeating Kerala 25-20, 25-23, 26-24 and stayed on course for a play-off final clash in the Indian Oil Servo 4th National Super League Volleyball Championship, here on Sunday.
The match was a key contest to decide the chances of making it to the final play-off introduced for the first time this year. Kerala needed to win in straight games, having suffered two losses after the two wins in the Super League. Services needed a win to finish the Super League outings on better game quotient.
Services started on a bright note outspiking the Kerala defence, thanks to fine display by left-hand spiker C Rajan. They maintained a slender lead and won the game 25-20 even as Kerala adopted double block at the net aided by a fine display by spiker Kishore Kumar.
In the second game, however, Services were forced to draw level at11-11, 14-14, 18-18 as Kerala fought back with Tom Joseph, Raj Vinod and Viju V Thomas coming good. Kerala then wentahead at 20-18 and 21-19. But Services levelled 21-21 and 22-22 and then raced ahead at 24-22. They won the game at 25-23 after yielding one more point to Kerala.
Tamil Nadu stayed in contention for a final berth ousting Andhra 25-19, 25-14, 25-18, while Kerala women entered the final with their second win, beating Tamil Nadu 25-17, 14-25, 25-20, 25-16.
Both Services and Kerala fought neck and neck in the third game. Kerala forced a 15-13 lead after trailing by a point but levelling each time, helped by Services’ unforced errors. Services, however, drew level 17-17 and 18-18 with spiker Sunil Kumar finding gaps in the Kerala defence. Down by two points, Premjith and Surendran saw Services up 22-20. But Tom Joseph made it 21-22 and 22-23 for Kerala.
Services were on match point at 24-23 but Kerala levelled 24-24 through Kishore Kumar. As Raj Vinod served out and Kishore hit out, Services wrapped up the contest winning the game at 26-24.
Services finished the Super League with three wins and two losses.Kerala bowed out with two wins and three defeats.
