Kolkata and Kochi fight for Prime Volleyball League semi-final spot
(Courtesy : Prime Volleyball League)
Both sides will battle hard for the one final spot in the last four of the league.
The Kolkata Thunderbolts will hold their fate in their own hands when they face Kochi Blue Spikers in the last league match of the RuPay Prime Volleyball League at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday. If the Blue Spikers defeat Ahmedabad Defenders today, then the Thunderbolts will need to register a victory over Kochi or ensure that they have a higher set difference at the end of their last league match to book a place in the Semi-Finals. Ahmedabad Defenders, Calicut Heroes and Hyderabad Black Hawks have already qualified for the last four, leaving only one spot in the knockout stage to be filled.
Speaking ahead of their Prime Volleyball League match against Kochi, Kolkata Thunderbolts' Vinit Kumar said, "We have prepared quite well for our match against Kochi. We are taking it as a do-or-die match regardless of what happens in the match between Kochi and Ahmedabad today. We'll put up a good performance tomorrow. We haven't blocked well in the last two matches, which we have lost. We've been mainly focusing on improving our blocking game during training."
The Attacker added that the race to the Prime Volleyball League last four has been an exciting one for the players and the volleyball fans, "It's really exciting for one and all when only two league matches are remaining and there's still a spot available in the Semi-Finals line-up. This is really good for the fans as it's not yet clear which team will go through and which will not."
When asked if the team will tweak its game if their match against the Blue Spikers becomes a knockout match, Vinit said, "We have played each of our games as a knockout game. Every match is a do-or-die match for us and we enjoy every match that we play. We give our all for each and every point. We'll continue to play like that in the next game as well. And the good thing is that our fate lies in our hands. We can win the match and qualify for the Semis"
Vinit also spoke about his experience in the league stage of the Prime Volleyball League so far, "It's been a great experience to play in the RuPay Prime Volleyball League. The tournament has garnered a lot of followers as well. We've been getting a lot of feedback that the fans are enjoying the matches. It's been a great opportunity for us as well."
The Kolkata Thunderbolts will take on Kochi Blue Spikers at 1850 hrs on Wednesday, 23 February 2022.
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