Hyderabad: The Ahmedabad Defenders qualified for the semi-finals of the Prime Volleyball League by defeating Kolkata Thunderbolt by two sets to three. Ahmedabad are the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the league. Score: 7-15, 15-10, 15-13, 15-14, 10-15. Ahmedabad topped the points table with 8 points from five matches. Shaun T John of Ahmedabad Defenders is the Player of the Match.
Rahul and Vineet Kumar gave Kolkata Thunderbolts a 7-3 lead in the first set. Captain Ashwal Rai also did well for Kolkata. Vineet’s smash smash gives Thunderboltz a Super Point. The team took a big lead of 13-7 and won the first set 15-7. Some unforced errors by Kolkata gave Ahmedabad a 13-6 lead in the set. The Defenders finally finished the second set 15-10.
In the third set, both teams fought hard. The score was tied at 9-9. After Kolkata captain Ashwal Rai took a superb spike and block to give the team a point lead, Angamuthu’s spike leveled the score for Ahmedabad (12-12). Hardeep Singh’s brilliant spike helped Ahmedabad win the third set 15-13 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Angamuthu’s smashed spike and Manoj’s superb block gave the Defenders a 10-8 lead in the fourth set. Returning Thunderbolts leveled the score at 11-11 with Vineet’s stunning smash. Shaun T John gave the Defenders a super point to give Ahmedabad a 13-11 lead. Ashwal Rai put on a stellar performance to level the score at 13-13. Ahmedabad won the fourth set 15-14.
Trying to make a comeback, Kolkata took an 8-6 lead in the fifth set. The team won the final set 15-10 under the captaincy and reduced the burden of defeat. Ahmedabad Defenders have won four of their five matches in the Rupee Prime Volleyball League. This is Kolkata’s second defeat in a row after winning three matches.
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SEMIFINALS