The Prime Volleyball League delivered an exciting back‑and‑forth showdown in Hyderabad on Friday. Ahmedabad Defenders came out on top, beating the defending champions Calicut Heroes 15-12, 12-15, 15-12, 14-16, flipping the game in a tense finish. Battur Batsuuri earned Player of the Match honors after leading a powerful attack for the Defenders.
The match began with strong blocking from Ashok Bishnoi and Shameemudheen, who stalled Calicut’s early surges. With Shon T John absent, Batsuuri stepped up, sending sharp spikes and creating space for his teammates. “We needed someone to step up, and Batsuuri did that,” said Defenders coach.
Calicut’s key players stayed hot throughout. Abdul Raheem started early, adding pressure on both sides of the net, while Santhosh provided depth in attack. Captain Mohan Ukkrapandian anchored the back line, keeping the ball in play. Despite their efforts, the heroes struggled to keep up with Ahmedabad’s fiery service‑attack combo.
Nandhagopal set the tone for the Defenders with powerful cross‑body spikes and a killer super‑serve. Momentum swung back to Ahmedabad as the match progressed, but Calicut relied heavily on Raheem to keep the score close. Skipper Muthusamy Appavu rallying his team set up crucial plays, and both teams kept each other on their toes defensively.
The game culminated with a thunderous spike by Akhin, giving Ahmedabad the final point. “We stayed patient and finished strong,” the Defenders’ captain said after the win.
The Prime Volleyball League, India’s first professional volleyball competition, features 10 teams from across the country and internationally, all under the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) umbrella. Seasons 1, 2, and 3 have concluded, and Season 4 will run through October 2025.
In a separate match at the same venue, Chennai Blitz edged out Goa Guardians 15-13, 18-16, 15-13 with Jerome Vinith named Player of the Match.
Both games showcased the growing popularity and high‑level play of India’s volleyball scene.
Source: ianslive
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