Kerela shock champion Railway

Jaipur, Dec 30 (UNI) Brilliant performance by Tom Joseph, Vibin M George and Jaya Lal K J helped last year's runners up Kerela handout a shocking 3-0 defeat to star studded defending champion Railways and enter the men's semi-final in the 56th Senior National Volleyball Championship at the SMS Indoor hall here this evening.

Earlier, he defending champion Railways women team had entered the last four routing Maharashtra in straight sets 3-0. The other teams who have stormed into the semi-finals are Tamilnadu, West Bengal and Kerela.

Railways, who have eight current Indian players in their ranks were completely off colour today as they could not combin well. On the contrary, Kerala went on attacking and putting double blocks effectively which forced their opponent to bow down. Tom Joseph and Jaya Lal displayed some powerful smashes earning valuable points while their teammates, especially Vibin put up good blocks to nullify their attacks.

Kerala took the first set on 25-21 and thereafter did not look back as they grabbed the next two sets and the match on 25-18, 25-20.

UNI