KATHMANDU, Sept 21: Dhorpatan Club, Geetanjali College, and the departmental team Armed Police Force (APF) Club have advanced into the semifinals of the ongoing fifth Dhorpatan National Open Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Thursday.
In the quarterfinal matches played at the Dhorpatan Sports Center Court in Gongabu, Dhorpatan, Geetanjali and APF defeated Three Star Academy, Budhanilkantha and Palpa respectively to reach the last four of the tournament.
Geetanjali into quarters
Dhorpatan defeated Three Star in a 3-2 set. Dhorpatan won the first set 25-22 and doubled its lead to 2-0 winning the second 32-30. But, the host Dhorpatan had a major setback losing the third and the fourth set 25-18, 25-15 respectively. After the game was equalized to 2-2 and there was only little margin for errors in the last set, Dhorpatan claimed the fifth set winning 15-13 to win the match. In the other match, APF defeated Palpa in a straight set of 3-0. There was no problem for the departmental team seeing off Palpa as it won the all three sets 25-20, 25-15, 25-16 to reach the last four.
Similarly, it was an easy win for Geetanjali as well as it saw off Budhanilkantha in straight sets of 3-0. Geetanjali started with a bright start winning the competitive first set 28-26, while it cruised to easy second set victory of 25-14. After winning the first two sets, there was never really a problem for Geetanjali, but it found hard to beat Budhanilkantha 25-23 in the third.
The winner of the tournament, which is named as M-150 Energy Drinks of the main sponsor Yeti Brewery, will be rewarded with Rs 100,000, while the runner-up will take home Rs 60,000. Also, the third-placed team will be given Rs 50,000.
Similarly, the best spiker, the best blocker, the best defender, the best server, the best lifter and the best coach will be rewarded with Rs 5,000 each. One lucky audience will win a scooter, the organizers had informed. The tournament is being coordinated by the Nepal Volleyball Association (NVA).
