Varanasi, 9 January. Host Uttar Pradesh’s struggling journey in the 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship here ended on Friday as the host women lost to defending champions Kerala in the quarter-finals. The UP men’s team had lost to Railways in a hard-fought quarter-final qualifying match that lasted five sets on Thursday.

In men’s category, defending runner-up Services ousted champion Rajasthan.

Apart from Kerala, women from Haryana and Rajasthan also reached the semi-finals on the sixth day of the competition organized at Dr. Sampurnanand Sports Stadium (Sigra) in collaboration with Varanasi Municipal Corporation. Whereas in the men’s category, defending runner-up Services broke the challenge of defending champion Rajasthan. Along with Services, Railways and Punjab also reached the final four.

Women of UP could not struggle much in front of Kerala’s speed

The UP women’s team, which had created a new chapter in the history of national volleyball by entering the quarter-finals a day earlier, suffered a 0-3 (10-25, 20-25, 18-25) defeat in straight sets at the hands of mighty Kerala. During the entire match, Kerala players showed amazing coordination and aggression.

There was excellent coordination between the front row and back row players in Kerala’s strategy. At the nets, Anna and Anushree played a key role in blocking the UP attack. At the same time, experienced setter Neetu, with her artistry, set brilliant balls for the attacker, due to which UP’s defense completely faltered. Anagha showed her strength as an ‘outside hitter’ in the back row and scored important points for the team. Food. V as an all-rounder and Bhumika strengthened the team in defence.

Kerala women will now meet Haryana

Gearing up for title defence, Kerala will now meet Haryana in the semi-finals, which defeated West Bengal 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-19). Other quarter-finals Rajasthan defeated Chandigarh 3-1 (25-9, 25-19, 23-25, 25-22). Rajasthan will now face defending champions Railways or Tamil Nadu.

Apart from Services, men from Railways and Punjab are also in the last four.

On the other hand, in the first quarterfinal of the men’s category, Railways overcame the tough challenge from Haryana 3-1 (25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 25-23) and booked the ticket for the semi-finals. Railways will now face Services, who defeated Rajasthan 3-0 (25-17, 25-12, 25-23). In the other quarter-final, Punjab defeated Jharkhand 3-1 (19-25, 25-19, 25-13, 25-14) and will now meet the winner of the Tamil Nadu vs Kerala match.

The guests encouraged the players

A confluence of sports and politics was also seen in the quarterfinal matches. During today’s matches, mainly Cabinet Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, AYUSH Minister Dr. Dayashankar Mishra ‘Dayalu’, former MLA Surendra Narayan Singh and BJP leader Pankaj Singh Chanchal were present. Divisional Commissioner Mr. S. participated in the program. Rajalingam former principal Dr. Satyadev Singh also had a dignified presence. Before this, Organizing Committee Chairman and Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari and Secretary Sarvesh Pandey gave a grand welcome to the guests. Semi-finals of both the categories will be played on Saturday while the final matches will be held on Sunday.