PVL 2022: Ahmedabad Defenders outplay Kolkata Thunderbolts, secure a knockout spot
The Ahmedabad Defenders registered a 3-2(7-15, 15-10, 15-13, 15-14, 10-15) win against the Kolkata Thunderbolts at the ongoing Prime Volleyball League (PVL) at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad on February 19.
With the win, not only did the Defenders attain the top spot in the points table, but they also secured a place in the semi-finals.
K. Rahul, Ashwal Rai and Vinit Kumar gave the Thunderbolts a strong start to help them take a 11-7 edge and wrap up the first set. Skipper Ashwal came in to produce smashes while Vinith fetched a Super Point to forge the team a 13-7 lead to wrap up the set 15-7.
Player of the Match Shon T John produced two powerful spikes as the Defenders took the lead at 6-3 in the second set. Meanwhile, the Thunderbolts' unforced errors provided the Defenders with a massive 13-6 lead to win the set 15-10.
All the hard work, sweat and pain paid off for @Amd_Defenders ๐
Watch head coaches S Dakshinamoorthy, @sajadhussainma3, @RuPay_npci Player of the Match Shon T John and libero Prabakaran P speak after the result ๐
#PrimeVolley #KTBvAMD https://t.co/EW5KBQ1qn2
Both teams had a neck-and-neck contest in the third set to level the score at 9-9 in the third set. Thunderbolts skipper Ashwal pulled off a brilliant spike and a block to help his team take a 12-11 lead but Angamuthu came on as the scores were tied at 12-12. Thereafter, Hardeep Singh produced a brilliant spike to help his team close out the third set at 15-13.
The fourth set saw a nail-biting contest. Shon T John fetched the Defenders a Super Point as the scoreboard read 13-11. Thereafter, Ashwal helped the Thunderbolts level the score at 13-13. However, the Defenders held their nerve and closed out the fourth set at 15-14.
The Thunderbolts regained momentum to take an 8-6 lead in the fifth and final set. Thereafter, Ashwal effected a fantastic block as the Thunderbolts wrapped up the final set at 15-10.
๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ฆ๐: @Amd_Defenders โช
๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: #PrimeVolley Semi-finals ๐ฃ๏ธ
๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฌ: Booked ๐๏ธ
Wonderful contest ends in delight for Muthusamy Appavu and Co. ๐ฏ
#KTBvAMD https://t.co/inMu2Y9P8v
Prime Volleyball 2022 (PVL): February 20 Schedule & Match Timings in IST
Match: Chennai Blitz vs Bangalore Torpedoes
Date: February 20, 2022 Timings: 7 pm IST
Streaming details:
The Rupay Prime Volleyball League 2022 is being telecast live on SONY TEN 1 (English), SONY TEN 3 (Hindi), SONY TEN 4 (Tamil & Telugu) & SONY TEN 2 (Malayalam) channels while live streaming is available on Sony LIV.
Also read: PVL 2022: Hyderabad Black Hawks' John Joseph EJ, Anand K talk about teams win against Kolkata Thunderbolts