Hosts Nagpur men stormed into the final of the 56th Maharashtra State Volleyball Championship underway at the Anand Nagar Sports Association Ground. Nagpur women lost their quarter-final match to Solapur 23-25, 21-25. The men’s team defeated formidable Mumbai City 3-0 to make it to the summit clash. In the semis, Nagpur got the better of Mumbai 25-18, 25-16, 25-23. Earlier, they beat Nanded 2-0 move into the semi-finals.

 

The hosts took the first set by a 13-point margin (25-12). Nanded tried to close in on the point difference in the second set but lost 25-18. Mumbai City got the better of Thane 25-18, 25-23 in another last eight match. Earlier, Mumbai defeated Kolhapur 25-10, 25-13 to reach quarters. In the men’s group stage matches, Pune registered a commanding 25-11, 25-0 victory over Gondia while Buldhana beat Palghar 2-1 in a closely contested women’s section match.

 

Buldhana eves beat Palghar 22-25, 25-17, 15-13. Other results (men): Chandrapur bt Washim 25-15, 27-25; Beed bt Gadchiroli 28-30, 25-13, 15-4; Thane bt Bhandara 25-18, 25-13; Dharashiv bt Palghar 25-17, 25-21. (Women): Buldhana bt Palghar 22-25, 25-17, 15-13; Solapur bt Dharashiv 22-25, 21-25, 17-15; Pune bt Jalna 25-8, 25-11; Dharashiv bt Chandrapur 25-12, 25-16; Thane bt Yavatmal 25-21, 25-15.