KATHMANDU, May 8: The defending champions Armed Police Force has set a summit clash with the other departmental team Nepal Police Club in the fourth KNP Japan Women’s National Volleyball Tournament on Monday.
Armed Police beat Shivam New Diamond Academy 3-1, while Nepal Police made it to the final for the first time with a 3-0 win over Western Region Volleyball Association.
New Diamond came back to win the second set after conceding the first, but failed to utilize the momentum as Armed Police romped past by winning the next two sets in a match played at the Covered Hall of the National Sports Council (NSC) in Tripureshwar. It was a rematch of the last year’s final where Armed Police was crowned champions.
APF downs Army to win KNP National Women Volleyball
Armed Police won the first set 24-18 before conceding the second set 29-25 to New Diamond. In the third set, Armed Police regained its lead in a one-sided set win of 24-10. In the final and the most enthralling set, Armed Police survived New Diamond’s rejuvenated comeback to register a close margin win of 25-23 to pave its way to final. This is the first time in the last four years that New Diamond has missed out on a final berth. Armed Police has been the other team in every occasion.
New Diamond lost its first match in the group stage at the hands of Nepal Police, before winning against Jawalakhel Youth Club in second match of the ‘Group B’ to finish the group as the runners-up and qualifying for the semifinals. Similarly, Armed Police won the ‘Group A’ to make its unbeaten run to final.
Likewise, Nepal Police overcame Western Volleyball Association to secure its place in the final.
Police registered the scores of 25-19, 25-15, 25-22 in straight sets in a one-sided affair. Nepal Police won the ‘Group B’ whereas Western finished runner-up in the ‘Group A’.
The winner of the tournament will take home Rs 150,000, while the runner-up will be rewarded with Rs 100,000. The third-placed team will bag Rs 50,000. Likewise, the best player of the tournament will be prized with Rs 10,000 and the best blocker, the best server, the best defender, the best libero and the best coach will be given Rs 5,000 each.
The tournament is organized by the Sher Bahadur Memorial Foundation and sponsored by KNP Japan.
