Hyderabad Black Hawks edge Calicut in Prime Volleyball League opener

Hyderabad Black Hawks kicked off Season 4 of the Prime Volleyball League with a nail-biting straight-set win over Calicut Heroes at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium. Paulo Lamounier’s composed performance earned him Player of the Match honours, while Ashok Bishnoi and Vitor Yudi Yamamoto impressed for Calicut.

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Black Hawks defeated the Calicut Heroes 15-12, 18-16, 18-16 in the enthralling opener of the fourth season of RR Kabel Prime Volleyball League powered by Scapia at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium on Thursday.

Paulo Lamounier was named the Player of the Match.

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Indian film industry superstar Vijay Deverakonda, who is the co-owner of the home side, also turned up to support his team.

Calicut’s Vikas Maan’s impressive blocking shut down Hyderabad’s attacks early on. Coach Sunny Joseph’s strategy of giving Rajasthan’s Ashok Bishnoi a starting spot worked in Calicut’s favour, as the attacker helped his side with an aggressive display.

Sahil Kumar began the counter-attack to bring the hosts back into the game. Calicut’s inconsistencies with their first touch affected their momentum, and the Hawks took the lead.

Shameem’s presence on court improved Calicut’s rhythm but Paulo’s discipline on court kept Hyderabad on track. Ashok won a crucial super point for Calicut to keep the game alive. Vitor Yudi Yamamoto’s cross attacks kept troubling defending champions and gave the hosts control of the game.

Bishnoi’s consecutive super serves quickly turned the momentum again and the Red Army came alive in the stands. With Niyas and 2023 season MVP Guru Prashanth joining Hyderabad’s attacks, the hosts made the most of Calicut’s defensive troubles.

Calicut held on to their super serve and earned two crucial points. In reply, Hyderabad Black Hawks called a super serve of their own, and Niyas once again found gaps in Calicut’s court to help the home side get the win.