The RR Kabel Prime Volleyball League powered by Scapia produced one of its most dramatic nights of the season at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, as both Mumbai Meteors and Bengaluru Torpedoes the league’s last remaining unbeaten teams fell on the same day.
In the first clash, Ahmedabad Defenders delivered a statement victory, toppling table-toppers Mumbai Meteors 12-15, 15-7, 15-12, 21-20, thanks to a masterful display from Nandhagopal, who was named Player of the Match. Later in the evening, the Hyderabad Black Hawks rode on a stunning all-round show from Deepu Venugopal to edge out the Bengaluru Torpedoes 13-15, 15-10, 18-16, 14-16, 15-11, registering their second consecutive win and igniting the home crowd.
Ahmedabad Defenders Stun Unbeaten Mumbai Meteors
The highly-anticipated clash between two top-three teams lived up to the billing, as Ahmedabad Defenders halted Mumbai Meteors’ unbeaten streak with a gritty four-set win (12-15, 15-7, 15-12, 21-20). Ahmedabad, who started the day in fourth place, climbed to second position on the table with 12 points from six games, while Mumbai slipped to third.
The opening set saw Mumbai make a strong start, targeting Ahmedabad’s defence through Mathias Loftesnes and Petter Ostvik. Loftesnes landed a super serve that swung early momentum in their favour. Despite Ahmedabad’s setter Muthusamy Appavu orchestrating quick transitions and finding Abhinav through the middle, the Meteors capitalised on Ahmedabad’s serve errors and closed out the first set 15–12.
But from the second set onward, the match tilted dramatically. Battur Batsuuri sparked Ahmedabad’s comeback with a series of clinical spikes. Angamuthu, after a subdued first set, found his rhythm, and Nandhagopal’s super spike earned Ahmedabad a crucial super point. With Mumbai’s block formation faltering, the Defenders surged ahead 15–7 to level the contest.
The third set followed a similar pattern. The Defenders’ relentless attacking trio Nandha, Angamuthu, and Batsuuri kept up the pressure, while Dhruvil Shah’s consistent serving neutralised Mumbai’s counterattacks. Even as Mumbai introduced veteran blocker Karthik, Ahmedabad’s composure in transition play gave them the edge, sealing the set 15–12. The fourth set turned into a thriller. With both teams trading points, Nikhil’s left-handed strike and a couple of super serves from Mumbai’s bench kept the match alive. But Nandha responded with a superb service ace to regain momentum for Ahmedabad.
In the decisive final moments, Angamuthu rose to the occasion his block against Loftesnes sealing the victory at 21–20. The win not only avenged Ahmedabad’s earlier defeats this season but also underlined their growing reputation as the most tactically disciplined side in PVL 2025.
“We kept believing even after the first set. Once we settled into our rhythm, our service pressure and block defence changed the game,” said Player of the Match Nandhagopal.
Hyderabad Black Hawks Stop Bengaluru Torpedoes’ Unbeaten Run in Five-Set Epic
If the first game was a masterclass in control, the second was pure chaos the kind of five-set spectacle that has made the PVL a fan favourite.
The Hyderabad Black Hawks, buoyed by a roaring home crowd, handed the Bengaluru Torpedoes their first defeat of the season in a pulsating 13-15, 15-10, 18-16, 14-16, 15-11 contest that swung wildly across two hours of breathtaking volleyball.
With this win, the Black Hawks moved to fifth place with nine points from six matches, keeping their playoff hopes very much alive.
Set 1: Bengaluru Start Strong
The opening set was dominated by Bengaluru captain Matthew West and his go-to attacker Jalen Penrose, who combined seamlessly to exploit Hyderabad’s defensive gaps. Despite Sahil’s super spike that earned the hosts a super point, Athul’s precise serving and Bengaluru’s early efficiency at the net handed them the first set 15–13.
Set 2: Hyderabad Strike Back
The second set saw Hyderabad regroup through Joel Benjamin’s aggressive hitting and Shikhar Singh’s defensive awareness. Setter Preet Karan distributed the ball with confidence, allowing Sahil and Vitor Yudi Yamamoto to take control. A well-timed super serve helped Hyderabad equalise at 1–1 with a 15–10 win.
Set 3: Deepu’s Defence Inspires Comeback
In the third set, Bengaluru’s defence began to show cracks. Libero Deepu Venugopal, who would go on to be named Player of the Match, produced multiple stunning digs, denying Penrose clean scoring chances. Niyas’s block against Penrose electrified the home crowd, and Hyderabad stole the set 18–16 to take the lead.
Set 4: Torpedoes Force a Decider
Bengaluru’s experienced pair of West and Jishnu rallied the team. Jishnu’s towering block against Sahil earned the Torpedoes a vital super point, while West’s tactical serve helped them close out the fourth set 16–14, taking the match to a decider.
Set 5: Hyderabad Seal It with Flair
The fifth set began with Yudi Yamamoto showcasing his athleticism through quick spikes and deft placements. Hyderabad’s two-man block, led by Shikhar Singh, frustrated Penrose repeatedly. As the set tightened, Sethu’s service error handed Hyderabad a super point — a pivotal moment that swung momentum for good.
A final attacking burst from Sahil and Yudi sealed the set 15–11, giving Hyderabad a 3–2 victory and sending the Gachibowli Stadium into raptures.
“We have worked hard to control the rhythm in pressure situations. Deepu’s defence was world-class tonight, and our teamwork made the difference,” said captain Preet Karan post-match.
A Night That Shifts the PVL Landscape
The double-header on Saturday may prove decisive in shaping the PVL 2025 playoff race. Ahmedabad’s consistency and Hyderabad’s resurgence have tightened the top half of the table.
- Ahmedabad Defenders: 6 matches | 12 points | 2nd place
- Mumbai Meteors: 6 matches | 11 points | 3rd place
- Hyderabad Black Hawks: 6 matches | 9 points | 5th place
With just a few league games remaining, the margins for error have vanished. For Mumbai and Bengaluru, both suffering their first defeats, it’s a wake-up call. For Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, it’s momentum and a timely reminder that on any given night, in PVL 2025, no team is truly unbeatable.
