Rantharu, Vijaya clinch men’s and women’s volleyball titles | Sunday Observer

Rantharu, Vijaya clinch men’s and women’s volleyball titles

12 December, 2021
Chathurika Ranasinghe the skipper of Vijaya SC, winners of the women’s segment in the Dialog President’s Cup Volleyball Championship, receiving the Cup from Group Chief (Technology) Dialog Axiata, Pradeep de Almeida and President SLVF Kanachana Jayaratna. Also in the picture is the Director General of Sports, (Sports Ministry) Amal Edirisooriya
Chathurika Ranasinghe the skipper of Vijaya SC, winners of the women’s segment in the Dialog President’s Cup Volleyball Championship, receiving the Cup from Group Chief (Technology) Dialog Axiata, Pradeep de Almeida and President SLVF Kanachana Jayaratna. Also in the picture is the Director General of Sports, (Sports Ministry) Amal Edirisooriya

Vijaya Sports Club from Debegama, Kegalle did extremely well to outplay one of the most experienced sides in the volleyball scene Hirdaramani Sports Club by three sets to one in the final of the Dialog Volleyball Championship on Sunday at the National Youth Services Council Indoor Courts in Maharagama. They won 18-25, 25-13,26-24,25-20.

The winners had to face a tough time during the first set as the Hirdaramni women Spikers were in full control of the game and took the set at 25-18. Though the Vijaya SC were one set down they never wanted to give up their hope of challenging the opponents and played a well organised set to take charge of the second set in a comfortable manner to come to equal terms 1-1

The second set victory margin showed a big difference as the Hirdaramani players were not able to get themselves together to fight back in the next set and went down tamely at 25-13 giving Vijaya SC a morale booster to be on the lead 2-1. This made things much harder for Hirdaramani.

Vijaya SC players who gained the upper hand after the second win were highly confident of their strength they got after the third set victory moved further ahead in a strong manner to take control of the set and finished the set at 25-20 to seal victory and to take custody of the Dialog President’s Cup 2020.

In the men’s final of the same Championship Rantharu Sports Club were able to enter into volleyball history books when they trounced the most experienced United Sports Club from Nattandiya. United SC as expected from the beginning took control of the first set winning 25-14.

The loss of the first set changed the pattern of play which saw the Rantharu players getting together to play serious volleyball and went on the attack.

This attacking style of play gave the best advantage for the Rantharu team to take back to back wins. This gave Rantharu SC more confidence as they were well ahead with high morale at the beginning of the fourth set. Though United SC was behind Rantharu SC they took the challenge to face the grueling match using all they had in store to overcome the challenges.

As both teams were engaged in a tough battle to break the deadlock it became a ding dong battle on many occasions and the set went on beyond the regulated point margin of 25 and finally it ended in favour of Ranthru SC 28-26 which sealed a grand win for the remote village of Debegama, Kegalle.

Special Awards

Best Server: H.P. Nimesha Sewwandi Gunewardena (Hirrdaramani SC)
Best Receiver: S. Dilrukshi Harshani Senarathna (Hirdaramani SC)

Best Setter: J.W.P. Thushari (Vijaya SC)
Best Attacker: Dinesha Prasadani (Vijaya SC)

Best Blocker: Chathurika Ranasinghe (Vijaya SC)
Best Defender: Sanjeewani Adhikari (Vijaya SC)

Most Valuable Player: Dinesha Prasadani (Vijaya SC Special Awards (men)
Best Server: N.G. Kanishka Madushanka (United SC)

Best Receiver: Kasun Chamara Ratnayake (United SC)
Best Setter : D.A.D Ruchira Sampath Jayathunga (Rantharu S.C)

Best Attacker: Mahela Indewara (United SC)
Best Blocker: K.A. Nishan Kodisinghe (Rantharu SC)-

Best Defender: Manoj Suranga Wickramasena (Rantharu SC)
Most Valuable Player: K.B. Sanka Dineth Jayarathna (Rantharu SC)

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