Volleyball: Hope persists as victory evades BU

By Pranavi Ambati
Day-3 of Sportikon witnessed 5 volleyball matches among 5 teams with 35 participating players. Although the matches began late and the rounds went late into the evening, there was much excitement. The players' zeal was visible in their loud chants and the frenzy they sent the crowd into whenever a point was scored.

Bennett's Team A played two matches - the first against Subharti and the second against Graphic Era (H) - but lost both by rather close margins. Towards the end of the first match, BU Vice Captain Rushit Varma suffered from injury and hence, had to take a bow out of the match.

All the same, this is not a full stop to Bennett's chances at the Volleyball podium - they have one last chance on Day-4 to prove themselves.

Subharti, who defeated Bennett, also went on to defeat Graphic Era (D) - becoming the first and only team so far to defeat the Dehradun Graphians. In Set-1, Graphic Era (D) could only secure 17 against Subharti's 25. Although they caught up closely in Set-2 and the game went into deuce, the match point was ultimately yielded to Subharti.

"I felt glad that we were the first team to defeat Graphic Era (D) - they are a strong competition and it was exhilarating to play against them," remarked Subharti's captain. He also acknowledged his team members' perseverance with a 'Kudos to my boys' statement and a proud smile.

Alongside Subharti, Graphic Era (H) too won two matches, while UPES closed the night with no win.

(The writer is a Semester II student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)