New Diamond, studded with young talents, stunned Western Region Volleyball Association in the semifinal played at the Public Higher Secondary School, Dharan on Wednesday while NPC beat archrival Armed Police Force (APF) Club.[break]
Captain Ramila Tandukar and player-of-the-match Pratibha Mali put up a good show for New Diamond while Western Region stars Rishisara Thapa, Manju Gurung and Pariksha Gurung disappointed. New Diamond won the first two sets 25-19, 25-22. Western Region claimed the third set 26-24 but New Diamond sealed victory winning the fourth set 25-19.
Western Region assistant coach Kaushilya Khatri said her team missed key player Aruna Shahi due to injury and her absence cost them dearly. "New Diamond is a good team and it put up a better show today," said Khatri.
New Diamond coach Kumar Rai said his side won the match as it was good in defense. "Pratibha (Mali) and Ramila (Tandukar) were perfect in spiking," said Rai.
Meanwhile, NPC came from a set down to win the first semifinal against APF. With the win, NPC avenged its defeat to APF in the semifinal of the recently-concluded International Invitational Women´s Volleyball Tournament in Pokhara.
APF won the first set of the match 25-21 but NPC fought back to win the next three sets. NPC claimed the second, third and fourth set with the scores of 25-16, 25-22, 25-20 respectively. NPC player Kopila Upreti was adjudged the player-of-the-match.
"We were confident and the girls lived up to my expectations to beat APF despite our previous three defeats against them," said NPC coach Rupesh Bista.
APF coach Kapil Shrestha said his players were too nervous while facing NPC. "Nima Shrestha and Binita Budhathoki could not find their rhythm and it was one of the worst performances by our team," said Shrestha.
APF and Western Region will play the third place play-off on Thrusday morning while the final match will take place on Thursday afternoon.
The winner of the tournament will receive Rs 105,000 while the runner-up will bag Rs 50,000. The third-place team will get Rs 25,000.
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