Lankan spikers make a clean sweep

Bernard Perera

VOLLEYBALL: Sri Lankan spikers made a clean sweep of the three Test series when they completely outplayed the Maldivians to win the series at 3-0 yesterday in the final Test Sri Lankans defeated the visitors three sets to nil. But the Maldivian who lost the first and the second games put up a splendid fight proving they are improving tremendously game by game.

In the final game yesterday the first set was won by the locals. It was interesting to note the highly improved Maldivians going to a slender lead at the start and held onto it until the locals equalise at 5 all: Fighting strongly the visitors once again went ahead when the local blockers failed to halt few smashes that came from their opponents.

After coming to equal terms at 8 all the Lankan spikers combined well to collect five points at a stretch to take a firm grip of the set. They never allowed the Maldivians to come terms until they finish the set at 25-14.

The second set of the game was most interesting from all three games played so far. Maldivians could be happy with their performances here. They got off to an early lead until they had a five point lead 10-5.

Every now and then Lankans collected points, but the Maldivians never allowed the opponents have their own way. Mohamed Ramesh the setter did a fine job on the court. His setting allowed their skipper Ahamed Ali and Mohamed Asif to collect point regularly.

Lankan made a gallant effort to equalise at 12 points. But few faults by the locals saw the visitor move once again to a lead. With top class spiking the Maldivians managed to hold onto their lead for a long time. Lankan managed to overtake them only when they reached 19 points. With the score reading 23-20 they put more pressure and collected two more points before the Lankans take the set at 25-22.

This set was the only set the visitors went past the 20 point mark during the whole series.

Maldivians knowing that the series is lost kept on fighting in the third set too making a fine start to the set to be ahead of the hosts at 3-1. With Chamind Marris, M.E. Kodagoda and skipper Nalin combined once again to attack the opponent every opportunity they were in for. This tactic came in handy and the Lankans moved swiftly towards a strong lead 10-3.

Maldivians collecting five consecutive points to reduce the lead to three. The hosts carried on the good work and did not allow the opposing spikers to collect points. At this stage the local blockers did an excellent job to halt the onslaught opened by visitors. The onslaught was came in with setter Ramesh’s top class setting. He made good use of every chance that came his way.

With the defence working well for the Lankans they added points with ease to win the set and the match at 25-20.

These two final sets were the best played the visitors during their whole tour. Mohamed Muneez the Vice President of the Maldivian Volleyball Federation was a happy man yesterday though the three Test series lost. He said the boys did a fine job.

This tour was very helpful to us as there are five to six players who have never had international experience. With these matches against an experienced and tough side have given them the much needed exposure. This will help us immensely during the forthcoming Central Asian Championship to be held in Islamabad next week.

We are thankful to the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation for giving this opportunity to play here prior to a major tournament. We hope to make this and annual event, said Muneez.

Ibrahim Jaleel the Head Coach and their Japanese Technical Consultant too are of the view that the boys got the best exposure playing here. They were thankful SLVBF and said the players came up with a better performance in the final game.