ASC overcome MEG in thriller

Army Service Corps (ASC) edged out Madras Engineer Group (MEG) 29-27, 22-25, 20-25, 25-19, 15-11 in a keenly contested match of the 19th State ‘A’ Division league volleyball championship at the Sree Kanteerava stadium here on Friday.

After carving out a hard-fought victory, ASC have six points from five games while MEG are yet to open their account after four matches.

Played in front of a sizable number of noisy ASC and MEG supporters, both teams dished out an exciting game. CK Swamy and Saneesh were in rollicking form for ASC in the first set essaying some fine smashes, showing good positional awareness.

The set witnessed a close battle with scores tied at 23-all at one stage. ASC skipper Sathyaraj rose to the occasion with a couple of good drop shots to help his side take the set 29-27.

MEG, being the fighting side that they are, came back strongly in the second set. Prince and Packiaraj worked in tandem at the net to score valuable points for Sappers, setting and smashing efficiently. With a 22-16 lead, MEG could have pocketed the set easily but ASC delayed their plans. Bipin and Saneesh sealed a few points for ASC but MEG held firm to close out the set 25-22. MEG were a transformed team in the third set as they raced to a 12-3 lead. Though ASC put up some resistance through Saneesh, MEG claimed the set 25-20.  

In the fourth set, ASC pulled up their socks with Sudheer and Saneesh leading the fightback. MEG struggled to negate the smashes and deceptive drop shots that came their way as ASC won the set 25-19. 

ASC showed greater resolve in the decider. CK Swamy and Divya Prasad fetched them crucial points as they finished off the set and match at 15-11.

Results: ‘A’ Division: ASC bt MEG 29-27, 22-25, 20-25, 25-19, 15-11.

‘B’ Division: Taurians bt Merchants Social Club 25-12, 25-14, 25-17; Atlanta bt Kudlige 25-19, 25-17, 25-21.