Champion Railway set up title clash with Kerela

Jaipur, Dec 31 (UNI) Twenty three time champion Railways in a big to make hat trick set up title with traditional rival Kerela in women's section in the 56th Senior National Volleyball Championship at the SMS Indoor hall here this evening.

Railway took only 52 minutes in trouncing Tamilnadu in a one sided affair by 25-10, 25-17, 25-13 in the first semi-final while Kerela had to struggle before getting past West Bangal 25-16, 23-25, 25-14, 25-19 in 74 minutes in the other semi-final.

Railways having three current Indian stars-Shibi KJ, Vaishali P and Priyanka Bora-in their rank were too superior to Tamilnadu as they dominated the proceedings of the match right from word go. Railways took the first set rather easily while Tamilnadu women put up little resistance in the next set. The third set saw then virtually surender the set and the match.

Powerful smashes by captain Ashwani S Kumar and Sheera PV saw Kerela grab the first set easily but their opponent bounced back in the next set as they managed to win and level the score one all.

Ashwani and Sheera then came into their own element as they bombarded smashes and drops beautifully earning good points. Tiji Raju was superb at the net blocking Minakshi Ghosh and ThakurMoni Oraon. Helped by their brilliant performance Kerela took third and fourth sets and the match easily.

Kerela had lost to Railways in the final and thus it would be a repeat final tomorrow.

UNI