The host comes up with a gutsy display to prevail over Kochi Blue Spikers in a humdinger of a contest in the Pro Volleyball League final four match.
Chennai Spartans’ Akhin (centre) exults after collecting a point in the semi-finals against Kochi Blue Spikers
Chennai:
After dropping the second and third sets, the home side outclassed its opponent in the final two to set up a showdown with the unbeaten Calicut Heroes on Friday. Ruslans Sorokins, who notched up 17 points in the last league match, got the same in the final four clash too and ended up the winner’s top-scorer.
Despite Naveen Raja Jacob, Rudy Verhoeff and Ruslans committing service errors, the host had a one-point advantage (8-7) during the first Technical Time Out (TTO). Kochi called for a Super Point right after the breather and went into the ascendancy at 9-8.
A few moments later, it was Chennai’s turn to opt for a Super Point. The home side capitalised on it to level the scores at 11 all.
Trailing 13-14, Spartans was on the back foot and had to collect three successive points to go 1-0 up. But, that is exactly what it pulled off, thanks to one man – Ruslans. The Latvian international’s hat-trick of spikes not only allowed Chennai to save a set point but also handed it the hard-fought opener at 16-14.
Things didn’t pan out the same way in the second set as Kochi ran out comfortable 15-9 winner.
Both Super Points went against Spartans and those contributed to its downfall. Chennai, which has amassed the least number of points from blocks, once again failed in that facet, capturing none in the first three sets.
Blue Spikers ruled the third set as well, controlling the proceedings either side of the interval. It led 10-5 at one stage and wrapped up the set 15-10 to sit one set shy of a place in the final.
The host was pushed to a corner and had to clinch the fourth set to stay live in the contest.
The penultimate set was a role reversal of the second as Chennai put its foot on the accelerator. At 7-6, Kapil Dev delivered a Super Serve to give his side a three-point cushion (9-6). It was one-way traffic there after as Spartans took the set 15-8, pushing the game to the decider. In the final set, both teams traded blows until 4 all.
The home team then bagged four consecutive points to coast to an 8-4 lead. The visitor pulled things back after the TTO, but fell short 13-15 to bow out of the six-team event.
Chennai Spartans cemented its place in the summit clash with a 3-2 (16-14, 9-15, 10-15, 15-8, 15-13) victory over Kochi Blue Spikers in the Pro Volleyball League (PVL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Wednesday.
After dropping the second and third sets, the home side outclassed its opponent in the final two to set up a showdown with the unbeaten Calicut Heroes on Friday. Ruslans Sorokins, who notched up 17 points in the last league match, got the same in the final four clash too and ended up the winner’s top-scorer.
Despite Naveen Raja Jacob, Rudy Verhoeff and Ruslans committing service errors, the host had a one-point advantage (8-7) during the first Technical Time Out (TTO). Kochi called for a Super Point right after the breather and went into the ascendancy at 9-8.
A few moments later, it was Chennai’s turn to opt for a Super Point. The home side capitalised on it to level the scores at 11 all.
Trailing 13-14, Spartans was on the back foot and had to collect three successive points to go 1-0 up. But, that is exactly what it pulled off, thanks to one man – Ruslans. The Latvian international’s hat-trick of spikes not only allowed Chennai to save a set point but also handed it the hard-fought opener at 16-14.
Things didn’t pan out the same way in the second set as Kochi ran out comfortable 15-9 winner.
Both Super Points went against Spartans and those contributed to its downfall. Chennai, which has amassed the least number of points from blocks, once again failed in that facet, capturing none in the first three sets.
Blue Spikers ruled the third set as well, controlling the proceedings either side of the interval. It led 10-5 at one stage and wrapped up the set 15-10 to sit one set shy of a place in the final.
The host was pushed to a corner and had to clinch the fourth set to stay live in the contest.
The penultimate set was a role reversal of the second as Chennai put its foot on the accelerator. At 7-6, Kapil Dev delivered a Super Serve to give his side a three-point cushion (9-6). It was one-way traffic there after as Spartans took the set 15-8, pushing the game to the decider. In the final set, both teams traded blows until 4 all.
The home team then bagged four consecutive points to coast to an 8-4 lead. The visitor pulled things back after the TTO, but fell short 13-15 to bow out of the six-team event.