Some thrilling volleyball actions unfolded in Colombo as the second day of the 2nd CAVA Women’s U19 Volleyball Championship 2025 took place at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. During the game Sri Lankan girls had a hard-fought battle with Nepal, and some mistakes mounted in crucial junctures of the game cost them a 3 – 1 defeat. During the other game, the Kyrgyzstan girls held their nerve to beat the less experienced Maldives outfit.
Sri Lanka vs Nepal
Sri Lanka started the game with the first serve, and a miscommunication between the players gifted the first point to Nepal. But Sri Lanka counter-attacked and opened the scoring with a powerful spike shot. The first set was a see-saw battle, and at one stage Sri Lanka was leading with 11 – 09 points. During the latter part of the first set, Nepali girls executed an excellent fightback and won the set by making a strong statement. (1st set: Sri Lanka 18 – 25 Nepal)
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Nepal managed to start the second set in an auspicious manner, as they easily got the first point through a misreading of a ball by a Lankan player. When Nepal was cruising with 06 – 02 points, the Sri Lankan coach took the first time-out, and Harshani did the justification for it with a strong spike shot by adding a much-needed point to Sri Lanka’s tally. Then Sri Lanka had a good time in the game, and they managed to keep the lead for most of the middle part. Then Sri Lanka reached the set point, but the Lankan lasses weren’t able to convert that advantage into a victory. (2nd set: Sri Lanka 24 – 26 Nepal)
The third set was a do-or-die battle for Sri Lanka, while Nepal also tried to tighten the pressure on the host. Determined Sri Lanka scored the first through an intelligent move, and thereafter Sri Lanka managed to keep the lead throughout the set. At one point, Lankan lasses were on a roar with a lead of 23 – 12 points. Then the Nepal girls came to the party with six straight points, and Sri Lanka opted for a time-out. The decision was paid immediately, and Sri Lanka managed to obtain the required couple of points within a short time. (3rd set: Sri Lanka 25 – 19 Nepal)
Sri Lanka started the 4th set with a mistake when a player went for a tough shot. Since then, Nepal launched a fine attack on the hosts and attained a 10-04 lead. Therefore Sri Lanka went for a timeout. By repeating the result of previous time-outs, Sri Lankan girls bounced back well after the break, and their strong spikes and excellent game reading closed the six-point gap, and at one stage they were leading with 18 – 17 points. But in the crucial moments, the game slipped out of the hosts’ hands. Nepal made full use of the silly mistakes of the hosts, and they managed to handle the pressure well compared to the hosts. (4th set: Sri Lanka 20 – 25 Nepal)
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Mina Suna, Nisha and Bhawana led the Nepali attack, while the captain, Jenisha, also managed her team well and guided them to a crucial victory. Sri Lanka made a high amount of errors in comparison to their first outing, but Sri Lanka’s captain, Sulakshana, also shined with her spikes and tactical play during the losing course.
Sri Lanka Team – Sulakshana Pasiduni Abeyrathne (Captain), Hiruni Prabodha, Harshani Nisansala Wijerathne, Thisandi Thushmini, Pavani Pabasara, Tanashi Bhaghya, Apsara Nethmini, Vihangi Ahinsa, Chathsika Dilshani, Nethmi Divyanjali, Nethya Minduli, and Jineshi Madushani, Head Coach – Charles Thilakarathne,
Nepal Team – Jenisha Biswakarma (Captain), Krishma Dangi, Binita Rana, Mina Sunar, Ashika Kshetri, Sunita Khatri, Rebika Lama Tamang, Anjila Pradhan (Libero player), Nisha Mahar, Bhawana Tamang, Pratibha Chaudhary, Samjhana Nepali, Rai Kumar (Head Coach)
Kyrgyzstan vs Maldives
In the first game of the day, the experienced under-19 girl from Kyrgyzstan clashed with the relatively less experienced Maldives under-19side. But Kyrgyzstan failed to have a great start, as their first serve went on to the net, giving the first point of the game to Maldives. Then Maldives accumulated five straight points before Kyrgyzstan got onto the scoreboard. But Kyrgyz girls did well to bounce back by using their high-quality technical play. (1st set, Kyrgyzstan 25 – 21 Maldives)
Kyrgyzstan started the 2nd set in grand style by securing the first point by applying tremendous pressure on Maldives. During the set, Maldives looked like they had completely lost their fighting rhythm showcased in the initial set. Hence, Kyrgyzstan took a walk in the park as they clinched the victory of the set with ease. (2nd set, Kyrgyzstan 25 – 09 Maldives)
The third set started with a point for Kyrgyzstan as one of the Maldivian players misjudged the initial serve. Though the Kyrgyz girls tried to outclass their opponent with their height advantage and technical play, the Maldives outfit gave a good fight. The set was a seesaw battle where the lead twisted among the sides. But Kyrgyzstan did well in the crucial time of the game, and they won the 3rd set after a close tussle by bagging a 03 – 00 overall victory. (3rd set, Kyrgyzstan 25 – 21 Maldives)
The captain, Raiana Baiamanova, led the attack well, and Maria, Amina and Raiana did most of the damage as far as the power attacks are concerned. Furthermore, Asyzat Maksutova exceptionally contributed to the victory as the ball setter of the winning side.
Tomorrow’s Fixtures
- Match 1 Maldives vs Nepal 2.00 pm
- Match 2 Sri Lanka vs Kyrgyzstan 4.30 pm
