Defending champion Railways and runners-up Kerala booked their semifinal berths in the women section of the 56th National volleyball championship here on Sunday.

However, it was heart break for Railways’ men’s team as the defending champion bowed out of the tournament after losing in straight sets to Kerala.

Kerala men stormed into the semifinal with 25-21, 25-18, 25-20 win. Also advancing to the semifinal stage were Tamil Nadu, who piped Punjab 25-21, 25-16, 25-20, 25-22. Railways take on TN while Kerala face West Bengal in the women’s semis.