(Sports news) The Kochi Blue Spikers recorded their first victory in the RuPay Prime Volleyball League after defeating Chennai Blitz 15-12, 15-11, 14-15, 12-15, 15-10 in a thriller at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Kochi gained two points from this match and Kochi Blue Spikers' Cody Caldwell was adjudged the Player of the Match.

Erin Varghese and Cody Caldwell got the Kochi Blue Spikers off to an encouraging start as the side took the lead at 7-2 in the first set. However, the Blitz fought back and leveled the scores at 9-9. Sethu TR missed a serve as Chennai won a Super Point to take the lead at 11-10. But, the Blitz missed a few blocks as the Blue Spikers closed out the first set at 15-12.

The Kochi side kept the form going and dominated the second set at 5-1. Cody Caldwell continued to be the star as the Blue Spikers further extended their lead. The skipper Karthik A pulled off a fantastic block and Varghese carried out a spike as Kochi kept their noses in front at 12-6. Kochi eventually wrapped up the second set at 15-11 and took a 2-0 lead in the match.

Fernando Gonzalez's spike was too good as the Blitz gained the lead at 8-6. Jobin Varghese and Gonzalez were leading the attack for Chennai as the team took the lead at 13-12. However, Cody Caldwell produced a strong spike to help Kochi level the scores at 14-14, but thereafter he missed a serve and the Blitz took the third set at 15-14.

Deepesh Kumar Sinha set up a fantastic block as Kochi took the lead at 7-5 in the fourth set. The two teams played out a nail biting contest and were locked at 9-9. Gonzalez pulled off a lethal spike to help Chennai win a Super Point and take the lead at 13-9. Moments later, Chennai took the fourth set at 15-12 to make it two sets all.

Caldwell stood tall once again as Kochi maintained the lead at 6-3 in the fifth set. Abdul Raheem pulled off a fantastic smash as the Blue Spikers continued to forge ahead. Varghese produced a few brave spikes before the Blue Spikers registered the win after taking the final set at 15-10.

Chennai Blitz will next play Calicut Heroes in the first match of the day at 1850 hrs on Thursday and the Ahmedabad Defenders will clash with Bengaluru Torpedoes in the second match of the day at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad.

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