BSNL continue to call shots

A Division champs down DYSS; LIC thump MEG

State ‘A’ Division champions Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) defeated Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) 28-26, 25-15, 25-21 to maintain their clean slate in the second phase of the inaugural Karnataka Volley League at the Sree Kanteerava stadium on Wednesday.

BSNL, who beat LIC in four sets in their first game on Tuesday, have six points from two matches while DYSS are yet to open their account in the second phase.

It was DYSS who dominated proceedings in the first set with Indian junior player Pruthvi Raj GD and Chetan DT in the thick of action. The duo’s effective smashes and some good blocking ensured DYSS racked up a 15-11 lead. With the pressure building up on BSNL, Ganesh came up with a few winners for DYSS as they extended the lead to 24-18.

But some silly errors from DYSS coupled with BSNL’s timely resilience through Anup D’Costa’s smashes and Sujith G Nayak’s blocking saw BSNL fighting back to claim the set 28-26. With the momentum in their favour, BSNL consolidated in the second set.

Captain Maruthi G Nayak came into his own with a few cracking smashes and so did Karthik A who placed some neat drop shots as they raced to a seven-point lead at 17-10. DYSS could hardly put up a fight against BSNL’s sustained onslaught as the latter took the set 25-15.

The third set looked like going the way of DYSS when they took a four-point lead at 12-8. But the more superior BSNL outfit showed their prowess as they came back to level scores at 12-12. Both the teams fought hard for the next six points as the set was tied at 15-15. Ravi Kumar and D’Costa then produced a flurry of unplayable smashes as BSNL took a four-point lead at 20-16.  DYSS strung together a few points but could not stop BSNL from winning the set and the match at 25-21. 

In the first match, LIC registered a straight-sets 25-21, 25-14, 25-21 victory over MEG. LIC have three points from two matches while MEG, who won their first match against KSP in three sets, also have three points from two games.

ASC beat KSP 25-21, 25-13, 25-19 in the last match of the day. ASC, who beat DYSS in four sets in their first match, have six points from two matches while KSP are yet to open their account.