Mumbai: Mumbai and Nagpur are on course for a possible double crown in the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Cup State-Level Volleyball Tournament jointly organised by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Services and the Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipal Council.
Mumbai entered the finals in both the Under-21 categories, while Nagpur secured places in the finals of both the Under-18 categories.
In the Under-21 boys’ semi-final, Mumbai defeated Kolhapur in a hard-fought four-set encounter 25-14, 25-20, 15-25, 27-25 to book their place in the final.
Jeevak Waghmare led Mumbai’s attack, while Rudra Varun’s all-round performance played a crucial role in the victory.
The Under-21 girls’ semi-final between Nashik and Pune turned into a dramatic comeback battle. Defending champions Nashik lost the first two sets 17-25, 13-25 but fought back brilliantly to win the next three sets 25-14, 25-16, 16-14.
Himanshi Otari, Sakshi Guldgad and Swara Devghre starred for Nashik, who will now face Mumbai in the final.
In the Under-18 boys’ category, Kolhapur defeated Latur 25-20, 25-13, 25-18 to enter the final.
Nagpur defeated Pune 25-13, 25-22, 30-32, 25-15 in another semi-final, with Vatsalya Kiratkar, Krishna Tadse and Karmanya Chilkulwar delivering standout performances.
In the Under-18 girls’ category, Pune shocked defending champions Latur with a straight-set 25-23, 25-20, 25-23 victory.
Kartiki Gargade, Tanvi Salanke and Samriddhi Chandgade played decisive roles for Pune, who will now face Nagpur in the final.
