(Sports news) The Calicut Heroes confirmed their place in the Semi-Finals after scoring an incredible 5-0 victory over Hyderabad Black Hawks at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad on Monday. The Calicut Heroes have now won three matches out of six at the RuPay Prime Volleyball League. Calicut, who beat Hyderabad 15-14, 15-10, 15-14, 15-14, 15-9, gained an extra point from this match. They racked up a total of 7 points in the league stage. Calicut Heroes' David Lee was adjudged the Player of the Match.

SV Guru Prasanth’s form gave the Black Hawks the lead at 11-9 in the first set. However, the Calicut Heroes got through with a super point soon after and leveled the scores at 11-11. The two sides continued to play out a heated competition and were locked at 14-14. Thereafter, Vignesh Raj D produced a smash as Calicut wrapped up the first set at 15-14.

David Lee began to produce hotshots as the Heroes took a massive lead at 5-1 in the second set. Captain Jerome Vinith provided adequate support as Calicut continued to forge ahead. Ajithlal C produced a powerful smash to help the Heroes hold the edge at 12-8. Calicut eventually closed out the second set at 15-10 to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

Amit Gulia tried to bring back the match for Black Hawks as they took the lead at 6-4 in the third set. However, the Heroes fought back through Abil Krishnan MP & Jerome Vinith as the side leveled the scores at 11-11. The Black Hawks and the Heroes kept winning points in tandem and were tied at 14-14 before Abil produced a crucial hit to help his team wrap up the third set at 15-14 and seal the match.

Jishnu PV was able to give the Black Hawks the lead at 9-6 in the fourth set but again they could never carry forward the momentum. The Heroes came back through David Lee and leveled the scores at 9-9. Moments later, Calicut won a crucial Super Point and took a three-point lead at 12-9. But, Gulia showcased his skills as Hyderabad leveled the scores at 14-14. Thereafter, the Heroes successfully managed to wrap up the fourth set at 15-14, threatening to register a clean sweep and take an extra point from this match.

Skipper Vinith produced some final blows as the Heroes held the lead at 10-4 in the final set. Calicut continued to dominate the rest of the set and eventually wrapped up the fifth set at 15-9 and recorded a 5-0 victory.

The Ahmedabad Defenders will be up against Kochi Blue Spikers at 1850 hrs on Tuesday, 22 February 2022.

Also read: Ajithlal leads the way as Calicut Heroes keep semifinal hopes alive