KK Boys Triumph in All Goa Volleyball Tournament with Stellar Performance
The All Goa volleyball tournament concluded with a thrilling final at Modi ground in Merces, where KK Boys from Santa Cruz emerged victorious. They defeated Sarvan Bicholim in straight sets with scores of 25-19, 27-25, and 25-22, showcasing their dominance in the knockout stages.
Group Stage and Knockout Drama
Until the semifinals, the tournament featured three outstation players, and all group stage matches were highly competitive, typically ending in four sets. However, the knockout phase saw KK Boys elevate their game significantly. They first swept aside the favorites, Detailz Doctor, in straight sets, setting the stage for their impressive final performance.
Ashwal Rai: The Tournament's Star Attraction
The biggest draw of the event was Ashwal Rai, whose presence drew large crowds that waited until early morning hours to watch the action. Rai, a star spiker, participated in the tournament after being excluded from the national team camp in Gandhinagar. This omission was not due to poor form; instead, Rai had missed the National championships to gain international exposure, having played in the Mongolian Premier League.
Similarly, Jerome Vinith, who also competed in Mongolia and won the league with Tuv Mig VC, was left out by the selectors. While his India teammates trained in Gujarat for the AVC Cup, Rai made his mark in Goa. In the final, he started slowly with only six points in the first set but exploded in the subsequent sets, contributing 10 winners in the second and a massive 14 in the third to seal the match for KK Boys.
Team Effort and Key Contributions
Rai did not carry the team alone. Visakh played a crucial role, especially in the second set when KK Boys overcame a seven-point deficit, largely thanks to his powerful serves. The team also benefited from the skills of Tamil Nadu setter Nanjil Surya, who has represented Indian Universities and added strategic depth with his tricky plays.
Local players Nitin Sawant, Hemant Naik, and the popular Ashwek Gawade executed their roles perfectly, contributing to the cohesive team performance that led to their victory.
Sarvan Bicholim's Struggle
Sarvan Bicholim, despite having Prime Volleyball League stars Shubham Chaudhary and Sahil Kanwal, could not recover after losing the first set. They took a significant seven-point lead in the second set at 14-7 but lost momentum, allowing KK Boys to capitalize. Once the set slipped away, Sarvan found no way back, highlighting the competitive intensity of the final.
Tournament Organization and Individual Awards
The All Goa volleyball tournament was organized by Almeida Brothers and Pogo Boys Merces in memory of Vicente Almeida and Bonifacio Almeida. Individual prizes were awarded as follows:
- Best setter: Rahul Chokla (Sarvan)
- Best smasher of the final: Ashwek Gawade (KK Boys)
- Best defender: Yatish Moraskar (KK Boys)
- Man-of-the-Match: Nanjil Surya (KK Boys)
- Player of the tournament: Ashwal Rai (KK Boys)
- Crowd favourite: Nitin Sawant (KK Boys)
The event not only highlighted top-tier volleyball talent but also celebrated the spirit of the sport in Goa, with fans and players alike contributing to a memorable tournament.
