Jaipur came alive on Saturday at Volleyball Nationals as Indian Railways bulldozed their way into the men’s semifinals of the 69th Senior National Volleyball Championship at the Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium Hall.
Spearheaded by their talismanic captain Ashwal Rai, Railways delivered a masterclass, crushing Karnataka 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-17). Rai’s blistering attacks, coupled with Sachin K’s rock-solid blocking, left the Karnataka side scrambling.
While Kartik and Vishal fought valiantly for Karnataka, their efforts couldn’t halt Railways’ relentless march.
Meanwhile, defending champions Services showcased their pedigree with a clinical win over Punjab, securing their spot in the semis.
The quarterfinals also witnessed Tamil Nadu holding their nerves in a nail-biting five-set thriller against Haryana, prevailing 3-2 late in the night.
The stage is now set for a high-voltage clash as hosts Rajasthan gear up to face former champions Kerala in the third quarterfinal, a contest that promises fireworks.
Rajasthan Eves Shine Bright
In the women’s section, Kerala, Railways, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Haryana booked their places in the quarterfinals.
But the moment of the day belonged to the host team, Rajasthan, who punched their ticket in emphatic style by routing Gujarat in straight sets (25-16, 25-8, 25-7).
Backed by a raucous home crowd, the Rajasthan women raised their game to a different level, led by the brilliance of captain Priti Mishra, libero Abhita V, and standout performers Parul Kataria and Ritu Bijania.
The win ignited an electric atmosphere in the stadium, with fans erupting into chants and cheers as their team sealed the final quarterfinal slot.
“It’s a brilliant team effort,” said Rajasthan assistant coach Suman Poonia, beaming with pride.
“The girls gave it their all. We’re pumped up for tomorrow’s quarterfinal, and we’re determined to make our home crowd proud by finishing on the podium.”
Quarterfinals Loom Large
Sunday promises to be a day of intense action with all four women’s quarterfinals slated for the morning, followed by the much-anticipated semifinals in the evening.
With stakes higher than ever, teams will leave no stone unturned in their quest for glory.
Jaipur is brimming with excitement as the championship heads into its decisive phase.
For now, the city basks in the joy of volleyball, its heartbeat syncing with the passion of players and fans alike.
