Indian Bank spikers pull off stunning title triumph

[1]

Fired by a fantastic collective performance, Indian Bank stunned Indian Overseas Bank 22-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-13, 15-11 in the final of the Vollys Club 21st state level volleyball championship here on Saturday.

No praise would be too high for the spirit and hunger shown by the champions. IOB were certainly stronger on paper but Indian Bank proved nothing could best team work. No-one can begrudge the applause that greeted the winners after the final point.

The atmosphere was electric at Ashok Nagar corporation ground. There wasn’t an empty seat at the venue even before a ball had been served in the final.

The organisers had failed to find a title sponsor for the popular tournament but they somehow managed to get the show going by getting help from various quarters.

What unites Vollys Club members is their love for volleyball and the unforgettable finale was a just reward for their hard work.

If a wealthy businessman had been present at the venue on Saturday he would certainly have written a cheque for the next edition then and there.

The final was a see-saw battle that kept the fans on the edge of their seats from the first point to the last. It was a great advertisement for the riveting sport of volleyball.

Vaishnav set the tone for a fascinating contest with a stunning block for IOB’s first point. He would prove to be an impenetrable wall in the opening set. IOB setter M. Ukkrapandian used Vaishnav for short-ball attack regularly.

Indian Bank all-rounder K. Sayee Krishnan wasn’t as effective as he had been in the semi-final. Besides, his team’s defence was in a shambles. In attack, barring Rajkumar none got going for Indian Bank.

But Indian Bank responded brilliantly. Rajkumar and blocker Sarangan stood out, even though the whole Indian Bank team deserved credit for mounting a fine rally.

IOB coach P. Sundaram kept shuffling his cards in an act of desperation but he couldn’t prevent his opponents from making it 1-1.

Indian Bank should have won the third as well but they wasted an 18-15 lead. IOB’s left-handed universal Rajkumar posed plenty of probing questions to Indian Bank’s wobbly defence. Indian Bank always give their best against IOB and Saturday was no different as they cantered to the fourth.

The fans were licking their lips ahead of the decider. It turned out that IOB hadn’t recovered from the fourth set defeat.

IB setter D. Yoganathan and all-rounder Sayee made their experience count by keeping a cool head in the tense fifth. IOB couldn’t deny their lively opponents, who played with three guest players, a famous win.

Indian Bank coach R. Srinivasan said he had instructed his attackers not to dip the ball in the final. “IOB’s tall blockers would have had it easy had we tried to dip the ball at the net.

Our defence also improved as the match wore on. The whole team played an outstanding match. We won because we wanted the title,” he said.

There will be an exhibition match between an Australian university team and Vollys Club at the same venue on Sunday evening (7 pm).

Results

Final: Indian Bank bt IOB 22-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-13, 15-11. 3rd place: SDAT bt ICF 25-23, 25-16, 25-23.