CHENNAI: Chennai Spikers defeated Yanam Tigers 25-23, 25-19, 25-19 in the concluding league match to emerge winners of the Chennai leg in the Panimalar-Sail Indian Volley League on Wednesday.
In another match, Karnataka Bulls showed why they are considered as one of the best sides.
Staging an excellent rally Karnataka posted a 16-25, 13-25, 25-23, 27-25, 15-11 win over Kerala Killers in a marathon match at the JN Multi-purpose stadium here.
It is not often that a team on the final day makes it to the podium after losing the first two sets in a high-voltage match that was marred by some poor refereeing.
It was a neck and neck race in the initial moments of the match.
As the game wore on, Jinson stood apart with his powerful smashes and neat screening above the net to give Kerala Killers a slender two point lead.
A little later Vaishnav and Naveen combined in tandem and consolidated the lead putting up an aggressive approach.
Karnataka served adequately but were not able to capitalise on it due to lack of coordination.
Towards the end Shamji with his blocks and spikes helped Kerala to take the set.
The second set too went in a similar fashion with Kerala winning it. During the third set a spate of errors by the referee disturbed the rhythm of the teams.
When the score read 23-21 in favour of Karnataka the referee gave a poor decision. Kerala eventually lost the third set.
The fourth one saw Sanjay and skipper Ravikumar in their element as Karnataka won it 27-25.
In the final one Kerala looked a dejected lot. Lack of consistency and poor teamwork on the part of Kerala Killers helped Karnataka win the match.
Chargers win
Hyderabad Chargers overwhelmed Maratha Warriors 25-21, 25-20, 25-17 in straight sets.
Lalit Kumar with his spikes and Gurinder with his pulsating serves helped Hyderbad Chargers to stay ahead right through the match.
For Warriors Aziz, Jitendra, Surendra showed their talent albeit in patches.
However it was the overall inconsistency of the Warriors that cost them the match.