PVL: Kochi ends campaign with yet another 3-2 loss
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Hyderabad: Yet another 3-2 defeat ended Kochi Blue Spikers campaign at the Prime Volleyball League. In their last league game, the Blue Spikers failed to capitalise on chances and eventually ends up loser once again to a brilliant display by the Kolkata Thunderbolts. The scores ( 13-15, 15-11, 15-13, 15-8, 10-15)
The win put the Thunderbolts into second spot in the table, and they play Calicut Heroes in the semi-finals on Friday. Hyderabad Black Hawks will play Kolkata Thunderbolts in the other semi-final today.
The Blue Spikers began well in the first set and fielded Colton Cowell in the starting line-up. Though, the absence of injured Erin Varghese affected their game plan as they struggled to kill rallies. However, they managed to win the 1st set. They lost the next three to concede the match as the Thunderbolt defenceincluding their Libero's played a superb game to block many Blue Spikers shots. Kochi played well at times in all the sets, but the lack of coordination from their part was unimaginable. Thunderbolts won many drop shot points, while Kochi managed to win just one in the entire match.
If you look at the overall scenario for the Blue Spiders in this tournament, the team from Kochi was unfortunate to get such a fixture. They didn't get enough time to practise as a unit, as their foreign recruits were available only a few days earlier before the competition. They were rested or 'rusted'for more than a week after their 2nd game.
Lack of form for their main blocker Deepesh Sinha and subsequent injury to him affected their preparation for next games. Had it been a double leg tourney, teams like Kochi has better chances to make it to semi-finals. The Blue Spikers along with Chennai and Bengaluru will be looking for the next League in a year's time to make a mark in the competition.
For Kolkata, Calicut, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, they all are in a position to win the title and to represent the nation in the Asia Champions League scheduled for later this year.
