Steely JSW emerge champs

Enraged by DYES’ brash display of youthful exuberance, JSW put on an aggressive show of their own to claim the Rekha Muthappa Rai Memorial Trophy after winning the fifth and final phase of the Karnataka Volley League here.

Spurred by a boisterous crowd, who stayed in their seats to witness the virtual final despite it being delayed by a couple of hours, JSW overcame a super-charged DYES 3-1 (25-22, 27-25, 24-26, 25-23) at the Sree Kanteerava indoor stadium on Sunday.

JSW finished the 25-match league with 58 points while DYES ended with 55 points to bring the curtains on a four-week long tournament. The end would have been a lot more timid should a young DYES have buckled under pressure, but led by a fiery Anup D’Costa they never lost sight of the title even when JSW went up by a couple of sets.

Entering the dusty court minutes after witnessing BSNL overcome MEG 3-1 (25-21, 30-28, 22-25, 25-21), JSW and DYES made it plenty obvious that they had some unfinished business to take care of from the word go.

While JSW were still to find their footing, Anup’s aerial prowess and ability to add weight to his smash put DYES ahead 4-1 in the first set. JSW looked sluggish but when they caught sight of DYES pointedly celebrating, the starting six huddled up before getting into the thick of things.Inspired by India captain Harminder Pal Singh, JSW levelled scores at 6-6 before taking the lead and holding on to claim the first set.

Fuelled by the loss, DYES kicked off the second set with the same kind of intensity but as was the case in the first, they let emotions get the better of them whenever JSW got the upperhand. Down 0-2, DYES were staring down the barrel, but Anup pep-talked his troops into pushing one more time. Invigorated, DYES fought hard and claimed the third set after a see-saw battle.

Having pulled one back, DYES were once again crude in expressing their emotions, and that did not go to well with Harminder. Anup and Harminder nearly came to blows at the change of end before officials intervened and the game resumed. As the battle waged on, it was clear that the joust had given Harminder something to fire on, leaving Anup clueless.

JSW made the most of a misfiring Anup and sealed the win -- coincidentally with a high-flying smash from Harminder.


Results: JSW bt DYES 3-1 (25-22, 27-25, 24-26, 25-23); BSNL bt MEG 3-1 (25-21, 30-28, 22-25, 25-21); Postal bt KVC 3-1 (25-23, 18-25, 25-22, 25-19).