Dominant KVC edge out MEG

 Karnataka Volleyball Club (KVC) delivered an impressive show, registering a come-from-behind 22-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-19 victory over Madras Engineer Group (MEG) in the first phase of the Karnataka Volleyball League at the Chamundeshwari grounds, here on Monday.

KVC were supremely dominant in the game dictating terms to MEG throughout except for a hiccup in the first set.

KVC, thus, have four points from three matches but Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES) stayed ahead of the pack later in the evening, upsetting holders BSNL 31-29, 25-23, 25-18 for their third straight win.

They have nine points while MEG remain on four points from three games after crashing to their second defeat.  Postal are at the bottom of the heap with one point from three games.

KVC began well with skipper MN Vikram and Nakul Dev tormenting the MEG defence with their pin-point smashes from seemingly difficult positions. With a 6-1 lead, KVC appeared to be on their way but MEG had a few tricks up their sleeves as they picked up momentum through Bharath B and Prince KS.

The duo delivered some power-packed smashes as MEG took the first set. The complexion of the contest changed completely in the second set as KVC played with renewed vigour.

Pushing ahead with a four-point lead at 14-10, KVC relied on the exploits of Vikram and Avinash Shetty, who enthralled the crowd with a few cracking cross court smashes to help their team win the second set.

KVC continued their fightback in the third as they went from strength to strength taking a six-point lead at 18-12.  Sharath Shetty joined Vikram, Nakul and Avinash to unleash a barrage of smashes and deft drop shots to toy with the MEG defence and clinch the set 25-17.

The initial stages of the fourth set saw both teams level-pegging but KVC took over after that to build up a commanding seven-point lead at 14-7. The MEG blockers could not find a way to keep out Avinash and Vikram’s relentless smashes.

Avinash stood out particularly with his ability to produce some superb winners consistently as KVC wrapped up the set and match in quick time.
DH News Service

Results: KVC bt MEG 22-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-19; DYES bt BSNL 31-29, 25-23, 25-18; JSW bt Postal 25-17, 25-14, 25-20.