BENGALURU: Indian Railways reigned supreme as they claimed their 13th national women's volleyball championships in the last 15 years defeating Kerala 3-1 (19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-17) in the final at the packed Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium here on Sunday.
The two teams clashed in the final for the sixth straight year and yet again Railways emerged on top. The last time Kerala beat Railways in the final was way back in 2007.
Kerala won the first set at 25-19 and raised visions of 2007. But Railways proved to be far too superior and bounced back wonderfully to claim the next three sets in a row to the delight of the large crowd.
As Railways' most impressive performer of the Nirmal went up to serve for the set and match, the stadium roared in anticipation and Nirmal produced a thundering ace which dropped into the right hand corner as the crowd applaud to a man.
Railways picked up many points as Nirmal played a tremendous all round game. She not only served well, she also picked up spots to place the ball or hammered down forehand smashes angled at a tangent and Kerala groped in the dark often. Priyanka Bora and Shanti Ilias also did well to pick up the Kerala thunderbolts that Sruthi orJini sent down. Their defence was solid and enabled them to have a go often.
Railways won the second set at 25-21 and the third at 25-20 and were always ahead. In the deciding set, Kerala flattered only to deceive. They came from behind to forge ahead at 7-6 and then led 10-9. But once Nirmal got into the thick of action and was here there and everywhere, the Railway engines slowly but surely gathered steam and then sped away to victory. Nirmal picked up almost the last five points with her placements and booming serves.
Though for a brief while Kerala again managed to bridge to 12-19, Railways took charge again and allowed them the liberty of only five more points before romping home at 25-17 as Nirmal and Priyanka combined to produce unreturnable smashes that grazed desperate Kerala fingers for winners. Fittingly, Nirmal wound it up with that blistering ace.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu took the third spot in both sections. They defeated West Bengal 3-0 in the women's play off for the third place. TN beat Punjab 3-1 in the men's third place play off.
Results:
Women's final: Railwaysbt Kerala 3-1 (19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-17).
Third place play off: Men; TN bt Punajb 3-1 (25-15, 25-16, 25-27, 25-21).
Women: TN bt West Bengal 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-19).