61st Senior National Volleyball: Hosts Rajasthan reach men's quarterfinals

Rajasthan gave home fans plenty to cheer about as they staged a splendid come-from-behind win over Karnataka to scrape into the men’s quarterfinals of the 61st Senior National Volleyball at the Sawai Man Singh Indoor Stadium in Jaipur.

The home crowd wore a downcast look as Rajasthan lost the first two sets 20-25, 22-25. Karnataka had everything going for them with a 2-0 cushion, but Rajasthan dug deep into their reserves, levelling things winning the next two sets at 25-22, 29-27 but also winning the decider 16-14 in a humdinger of a contest.

It was not a great day in office for Karnataka as their women lost to Haryana in straight sets, paving the way for latter’s entry into the last eight stage.

In the men’s quarterfinals, defending champions Kerala take on Services, while last year’s runners-up Uttarakhand take on former champions Railways.

2011 champions Tamil Nadu clash with Rajasthan while Punjab lock horns with Haryana.

In the women’s quarterfinals, reigning champions Railways meet West Bengal, while last year’s runners-up Kerala meet Haryana.

Tamil Nadu take on Uttar Pradesh while Himachal Pradesh meet Andhra Pradesh.

Results:

Men: Pre-quarterfinals: Haryana bt Andhra Pradesh 25-27, 25-16, 25-20, 25-23. Lower league play-off: Andhra Pradesh bt Uttar Pradesh 25-21, 25-20, 21-25, 25-19; Rajasthan bt Delhi 26-24, 26-24, 24-26, 25-15.

Women:

Pre-quarterfinals: Haryana bt Karnataka 25-11, 26-24, 25-17; West Bengal bt Delhi 25-21, 25-17, 25-11. Lower league play-off: Haryana bt Punjab 26-28, 25-9, 25-12, 25-20; Delhi bt Chandigarh 25-14, 25-1, 25-22.