On a pulsating evening at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, the Bengaluru Torpedoes launched a stirring comeback to defeat the Goa Guardians in a five-set thriller on the second day of the RR Kabel Prime Volleyball League powered by Scapia.
The Torpedoes prevailed 15-9, 11-15, 13-15, 17-15, 15-9 to record their first win of the season.
The contest had everything momentum swings, crowd roars, and individual brilliance. At the heart of Bengaluru’s victory was their star spiker Jalen Penrose, who was deservedly named Player of the Match. Adding to the evening’s glamour, India’s badminton icon Satwiksairaj Rankireddy was present courtside, cheering on the Torpedoes.
Bengaluru opened the match on the front foot. Sethu’s sharp serves immediately unsettled Goa’s libero Ramanathan, creating opportunities for the Torpedoes’ attack line. Setter Matt West orchestrated the offence with precision, distributing passes that allowed both Penrose and Joel Benjamin to hammer home points with aggressive spikes.
With the momentum firmly in their favour, Bengaluru cruised through the first set 15-9. Their dominance at the net and controlled defence suggested a one-sided encounter might be on the cards. But volleyball’s beauty lies in its unpredictability, and Goa had other plans.
Guardians Fight Back
The Guardians regrouped swiftly in the second set. Spearheaded by Chirag’s fiery attacking play, Goa began to find gaps in Bengaluru’s defence. International recruits Nathaniel Dickinson and veteran Jeffrey Menzel added variety with cross-court attacks that stretched the Torpedoes.
The real turning point came when Goa snatched back-to-back super points, swinging the momentum dramatically in their favour. From trailing in the early stages, the Guardians surged to level the match with a 15-11 second-set win.
The third set followed a similar pattern, with Goa riding their momentum. Rohit Yadav’s powerful serve stunned the Torpedoes’ receivers, while middle-blocker Prince stood tall at the net, shutting down Bengaluru’s spikers with crucial blocks. Despite Penrose’s efforts to claw back, Goa held firm, sealing the set 15-13 and taking a 2-1 lead.
Bengaluru Show Resilience
With their backs against the wall, Bengaluru needed inspiration. Once again, Penrose stepped up, combining ferocity in attack with composure from the service line. His counter-attacking instincts forced Goa’s defence into errors, while Nitin Minhas chipped in with strong blocks at critical moments.
The fourth set became the night’s most gripping battle. Both teams exchanged points relentlessly, refusing to yield. Bengaluru held set points, only for Goa to save them, and the Guardians had their own chances to close out the match. But the Torpedoes, showing immense resilience, edged through 17-15 to force a decider.
Torpedoes Seal the Deal
Having dragged the contest into a fifth set, Bengaluru carried all the momentum. Joel Benjamin shifted his attack to the left wing, troubling Goa’s backline. In defence, Mujeeb’s coordination with Penrose created a solid block shield that shut down Goa’s hitters.
The Guardians, visibly drained after their missed opportunity in the fourth set, struggled to keep pace. Bengaluru raced clear and sealed the final set 15-9, completing a remarkable turnaround to win the match 3-2.
By clinching the contest in five sets, the Torpedoes collected two points from the fixture, while the Guardians earned one point for pushing the game to a decider. For Bengaluru, the result is significant it not only opens their account for the season but also provides a morale-boosting display of their fighting spirit.
Penrose, with his explosive spiking and clutch serving, was the standout. But the contributions of Joel Benjamin, Nitin Minhas, and setter Matt West were equally crucial. Their ability to sustain intensity and find solutions in pressure moments highlighted the depth in the Torpedoes’ roster.
For Goa, it was a bittersweet night. Chirag’s aggressive play and the solid showing from Dickinson and Menzel gave them control in the middle stages, but the team’s inability to close out the fourth set proved costly. Still, their performance earned them a point on the table and showed they can trouble the league’s strongest teams.
Adding to the night’s spectacle was the presence of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, India’s badminton doubles star. A Hyderabadi himself, Satwik’s support for the Torpedoes energised the crowd, which responded with loud cheers throughout the contest. The Gachibowli Indoor Stadium once again lived up to its reputation as a fortress of noise and colour in the PVL.
Looking Ahead
The win pushes Bengaluru Torpedoes into contention as the season picks up pace. Their comeback ability, shown so early in the campaign, could be a defining feature in tight league standings. Goa Guardians, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly. With their attack showing flashes of brilliance, tightening defensive lapses and composure in crunch moments will be key for them moving forward.
As PVL Season 4 enters its crucial early phase, fans can expect more such thrillers where momentum shifts in minutes and victory hinges on fine margins. On this night, however, it was the Torpedoes who launched last and landed hardest, claiming a victory that might well set the tone for their season.
