The city of Colombo was heated up with some magnificent spikes, blocks and digs as the third day of the 2nd CAVA Women’s U19 Volleyball Championship 2025 took place at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. After yesterday’s defeat against Nepal, Sri Lankan girls had a great resurgence to down the defending champions, Kyrgyzstan, after a tense battle. During the other game, the Nepali girls who are on song managed to rout the less experienced Maldives outfit.
Sri Lanka vs Kyrgyzstan
In the final preliminary round game, the hosts, Sri Lanka, battled against the unbeaten Kyrgyzstan. Sri Lanka took the first point from a cover-out shot and then took another three straight points. In the midway Sri Lanka led the set with a six-point margin (13 – 07). But then the Kyrgyzstan girls displayed a great comeback and managed to cut the deficit to just two points, and the Sri Lankan coach went for a time-out to break the rhythm of their opponent. The strategy worked well for the hosts, as Sri Lanka displayed some better techniques in the final phase of the set to post a win. (Sri Lanka 25 – 19 Kyrgyzstan)
In the second set, the Kyrgyzstan girls got a fine start with three straight points. Afterwards Kyrgyz ladies gradually applied pressure on Lankans with their heavy spike shots. At one stage Kyrgyzstan was cruising towards the victory in the second set with a score of 13 – 07. Since then, Sri Lankan girls managed to apply some brakes on their oppositions and managed to slow down the game while reducing the point gap. Until the 17th point, the visitors led the game. But the Lankan lasses displayed that they have learnt from their mistakes in the previous game and managed to stand tall at the crucial junctures of the game by minimizing their mistakes. In the final phase of the set, the lead was twisted between the sides, but Sri Lanka managed to pull out a tense win after a thrilling set. (Sri Lanka 27 – 25 Kyrgyzstan)
During the 3rd set, Kyrgyzstan took the upper hand earlier and took another three straight points, mostly due to Sri Lanka’s mistakes. At the midway mark, Kyrgyzstan led the game with 13-09 points, and Sri Lanka’s coach, Charles Thilakeratne, went for a time-out. But the time-out didn’t favor the hosts, and Kyrgyzstan extended their lead to five points (as 19 – 14). During the critical final phase of the set, the Sri Lankan girls delivered some magical cross-spike shots, good defensive work and some brilliant serves which hindered the progress of the visitors.
During the final stage, the pressure of the game skyrocketed, and even the match referees felt it. The game went for an anticlimax when the match referee awarded the match point to the Sri Lankans, indicating that the ball went out of the court after touching the block of Kyrgyzstan. When Sri Lankans moved away from the court with the victory, the match referee reversed his decision in favour of Kyrgyzstan by following a protest lodged by them. Hence Sri Lankans were called back onto the court, and the game was restarted. During the next play Sri Lanka managed to secure their winning point in style with a thumping spike shot. (Sri Lanka 25 – 22 Kyrgyzstan)
The Sri Lankan captain Sulakshana led from the front with some pounding spikes, excellent digs and with her game reading ability. But still Sri Lanka has some problems to solve such as miscommunication among players and weaknesses while digging especially relating to the libero player of Sri Lanka. But the defensive work done by the Lankan lasses should be commendable against the tough opponents who are over six feet high and capable of delivering pounding spikes at any time.
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,
Kyrgyzstan Team – Raiana Baiamanova (Captain), Gulmira Tulenova, Asylzat Maksutova, Sabina Nadirbekova, Mariia Tkacheva, Alina Alekhnovich, NurzhamalBolotbekova, Amina Zhakeshova, Asema Seiitbekova (Libero player), Saikal Amirakulova, Daiana Toktosunova, Perizat Aitbekova, Head Coach – Nurgiza Masimova
Nepal vs Maldives
In the first game of the day high riding Nepali girls clashed against the young Maldivian girls who are still on their learning curve. Since the beginning of the first set Nepali girls displayed they are set to continue their good rhythm after beating Sri Lanka a day ago. But Maldives displayed better resistance in the initial phase of the set and at one point they led the game with 05 – 04 points. But since then Nepali girls began a points rally and they scored 21 points while only conceding a couple of points to win the set. (Nepal 25 – 07 Maldives)
During the second set Maldives again displayed some fight against their tough opponent and at one stage they fought with a score of 05 – 06. Since then Nepal never looked back and began to outperform their opponent. The clinical display by Nepal girls managed to wrap up the set with ease and with a huge margin. (Nepal 25 – 10 Maldives)
The win of the third set was crucial to the Maldives to stay alive in the game, but Nepali girls tightened up the pressure from the beginning. The tall and energetic lasses from the Himalayan Plateau managed to beat the helpless Maldives, who failed in every department of play. Finally they grabbed a crushing victory with 03 – 00 sets. (Nepal 25 – 11 Maldives)
With these results Sri Lanka, Nepal and Kyrgyzstan ended the preliminary round games with the same points (with two wins and a single defeat). Hence, most probably Sri Lanka will meet Maldives while Nepal will take on Kyrgyzstan in the semifinals.
