New scoring format makes league exciting: Luis Arias

Hyderabad: Home team Hyderabad Black Hawks will kick-start the campaign in the inaugural edition of the Prime Volleyball League against Kochi Blue Spikers at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium on Saturday. The home team is gearing up to put on a good show in the opening fixture. The Black Hawk’s attacker Luis Antonio Arias Guzman, the […]

Hyderabad: Home team Hyderabad Black Hawks will kick-start the campaign in the inaugural edition of the Prime Volleyball League against Kochi Blue Spikers at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium on Saturday. The home team is gearing up to put on a good show in the opening fixture.

The Black Hawk’s attacker Luis Antonio Arias Guzman, the Venezuelan player, says the league brings excitement owing to the new 15-point set scoring format. “It is a big challenge how the team takes on this new 15-point format. Any kind of scoring system generates a kind of challenge. But in a 15-point set, there is not much time to think. The level of competitiveness will be very high. We need to be attentive from the beginning. All of us need to perform to our top level. You have to be on guard from the word go. It generates more adrenaline,” said the 33-year-old player.

In the run up to the league, Luis Arias had to go through tough times back in the country owing to Covid-19 restrictions. “It is difficult to train back home owing to Covid-19 situation. I could not go to the gym either. But I managed to keep my body in shape and I am eagerly waiting to get on to the court.”

The attacker, who was part of Venezuela team in the 2020 Tokyo Games, is confident of contributing to the team’s success. “I can help not just by strength as a universal player, but as an experienced player as well. At this level, experience is the key. I can find balance and skillfulness.”

Luis also said the Indian players are keen to learn. “The youngsters in the team are showing commitment every day and it is a very good sign. They are very eager to listen and learn. I am keen to share my experiences with the local players. The experience has been very good so far.”

The league will be played without any spectators but the star player says their job is to bring the best out of them irrespective of the circumstances. “I have played a couple of leagues before without an audience due to Covid situation. Many leagues are being played without crowds. Irrespective of whether people are there or not we need to bring the best show.”

Meanwhile, coach Ruben Wolochin said Luis Arias’ experience will be a huge asset for the team. “We are looking for a player who the team can rely on in tough situations. We know that by experience that he can score points not just by pure strength but by using brains. Sometimes the player with less experience can be overwhelmed by the situation. So we are looking at him to bail out given that he is an experienced player.”

The veteran coach also said the league will surely raise the popularity of the game not just in the country but outside as well.

The league will be telecast live on SONY TEN 1 (English), SONY TEN 3 (Hindi), SONY TEN 4 (Tamil & Telugu) & SONY TEN 2 (Malayalam) channels.

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