Sri Lanka Men test India but settles for Silver along with Women

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Sri Lanka Men test India but settles for Silver along with Women

Sri Lanka Volleyball Men’s team and Women’s team were beaten by India in the finals as they collected Silver Medals at the 2016 South Asian Games.

Men’s Volleyball

The Indian Men’s team warded off a strong challenge from Sri Lanka to clinch the volleyball gold medal in three sets, 25-19, 25-22, 28-26.

Captain Gurinder Singh and the seasoned Prabagaran provided the impetus against a determined Sri Lanka. India won the first set 25-19 with relative ease.

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Sri Lanka switched to a more attacking mode in the second, establishing a 7-4 lead first and 18-16 later.

With the tall G. R. Vaishnav making his presence felt at the net, India came up with effective blocks and followed it up with winning smashes from Prabagaran and Naveen Raja Jacob to reel off five consecutive points. The host sustained the momentum to win the game 25-22.

In the third, Sri Lanka took an 8-5 lead as Shamil Silva and Deepthi Romesh produced some spectacular smashes to leave the Indian defence in tatters. Sri Lanka had game-point at 24-22, but the confident Indians were in no mood to give up.

A solid block and a good finish from Jacob made it 24-24 before India cashed in on the initiative to win 28-26.

In the semifinal Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan after going down meekly in the first set 17-25. The islanders won the next three sets against a strong Pakistan side 25-23, 25-22, 25-20.

India won their semi final against Maldives 25-17, 25-20, 25-19.

Sri Lanka were drawn in Group A alongside Nepal and India while in Group B it was Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Maldives.

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Sri Lanka Men’s team won the first set against Nepal 25-10 and the second set 25-15. They wrapped things off with another 25-10 in the third set.

In the Group stage Sri Lanka did not challenge India as they went down 25-19, 25-18, 25-19.

Third place: Pakistan beat Maldives 25-17, 25-19, 25-13.

Women’s Volleyball

Sri Lanka women’s Volleyball team was easily defeated by India 25-14, 25-21, 25-14.

Sri Lanka gave a fight to India in the 2nd set keeping the scores close but lost energy in the 3rd as India cruised to victory.

In the semi final Sri Lanka met Maldives and won the match in three sets, 25-10, 25-18, 25-21.

The women were drawn in Group B with Afghanistan and Nepal.

Sri Lanka Women’s team won the first set against Nepal 25-19 after a close tussle but eased through in the 2nd set winning 25-14. However with nothing to lose Nepal gave their all and the scores were tied at the 25 point mark but Sri Lanka calmed the nerves winning the 3rd set 28-26.

Third Place: Nepal beat Maldives 25-20, 25-14, 25-13.