Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) registered a hard-fought 29-27, 23-25, 25-20, 25-20 victory over Karnataka State Police (KSP) in their second phase match of the inaugural Karnataka Volley League at the Sree Kanteerava stadium on Thursday.
After notching up their first victory of the second phase, DYSS have three points from as many games. KSP, meanwhile, have no points after their third straight loss.
The first set was a closely fought affair. Ganesh, Pavan and Pruthviraj were the star performers for DYSS. Nagesh and Girish pocketed important points for KSP with their brilliant smashes and clever drop shots. KSP opened a three-point lead at 24-21 and had an opportunity to claim the set but DYSS stretched them.
Pavan and Ganesh combined well for their point-winning smashes as DYSS stunned the Cops and took the set 29-27.
Under pressure, KSP bounced back in the second set. Although DYSS led 17-14 at one stage, the Policemen brought their fighting qualities to the fore to clinch the set 25-23. Nagesh and Girish led their resurgence fetching them points at crucial junctures.
In the third set, DYSS played an attacking game. The strategy paid dividends as they eked out a three-point lead at 18-15 and extended it to five points at 24-19 before closing out the set at 25-20.
Pavan and Pruthviraj tormented the KSP blockers with their well directed smashes and drop shots. With their backs to the wall, KSP were expected to make a strong statement in the fourth set. But, DYSS successfully thwarted KSP’s plans as they took the lead at 8-5 and maintained that throughout before clinching the at 25-20.
Results: DYSS bt KSP 29-27, 23-25, 25-20, 25-20; LIC bt ASC 25-20, 23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 15-13; BSNL bt MEG 25-16, 25-23, 25-22.