And the most awaited results are out! Chennai Spartans have been crowned as PVL 2019 winner. They defeated Calicut Heroes 3-0 to in the finals of the Pro Volleyball League 2019 on Friday, 22nd February.
The local favourites beat Calicut 15-11, 15-12, 16-14 in the summit clash.
League’s top scorer and best spiker Rudy Verhoeff again delivered as he scored 13 points (11 spikes and 2 blocks) for the Chennai Spartans. While, for the Calicut Heroes, league’s most valuable player Ajith Lal was the highest scorer with nine points (9 spikes).
3 without reply, the @chennaispartans have come and SHOCKED the @CalicutHeroes !#VandhutomnuSollu #ThrillKaCall #RuPayPVL pic.twitter.com/yTEM9poNSH
— Pro Volleyball (@ProVolleyballIN) February 22, 2019
Also Read: Performance and Standings PVL 2019
Chennai Spartans vs Calicut Heroes: Finals Pro Volleyball League 2019
Chennai and Calicut looked equal in the first set of the match until the Chennai went into a three-point lead at 8-5, thus entering the first Technical Time Out (TTO). Calicut called for a super point immediately after the TTO and converted to close the gap to 7-8.
Later the Chennai Spartans took a three-point lead again at 12-9. Calicut tried to make a comeback but the lead was not in their reach. Verhoeff and Naveen Raja Jacob scored four points each to help Chennai win the set 15-11.
Jubilation. Elation. Satisfaction.
The @chennaispartans answered the #ThrillKaCall to be crowned CHAMPIONS 🏆#RuPayPVL #ThattuvomThukkuvom pic.twitter.com/bSJ3aBpVqs
— Pro Volleyball (@ProVolleyballIN) February 22, 2019
Calicut, who hadn’t lost a single match this season, were very jittery in the second set nervously. Their skipper Vinith gave away three points and Karthik gave away one due to errors which gave the home team a 4-1 lead.
But Calicut’s star spiker Lal got the visitors back with three spike points to reduce the deficit to 3-5. For Chennai, Verhoeff was in the form of his life as he scored his 100th point in the league when his side took to a 9-6 lead.
Chennai showed a super performance in the second half
At 10-8 Calicut called for a super point and converted it with a Karthik spike. Immediately, Chennai called for one and Verhoeff didn’t make any mistake in bringing back a two-point lead for his side at 12-10. Spike from Lal and service error from Jacob got Calicut at 12-13 but Chennai wasn’t letting this slip and Verhoeff, this time with a block, put them 2-0 up in the match.
Calicut again gifted Chennai four of the first eight points as the local team went into TTO with an 8-5 lead. Chennai also gave away two of the first five points to Calicut on errors but they looked a better side going into TTO. Chennai made two more errors and for the first time in the set, Calicut took lead at 11-8.
Trailing 10-13, Two blocks and one spike by Akhin and a service point from local boy Jacob took Chennai to match point at 14-13. Lal levelled it for Calicut at 14-14 but Calicut skipper Vinith conceded two errors, in the end, to give away the match and the title of the inaugural edition of the Pro Volleyball League to Chennai Spartans.
ICYMI: The WINNING MOMENT from yesterday’s grand final – the moment that @chennaispartans clinched the championship defeating the @CalicutHeroes#ThrillKaCall #RuPayPVL
All the action available only on Sony Ten 3, Sony Six and Sony LIV@SPNSportsIndia @SonyLIV pic.twitter.com/pMpWiGp7y4
— Pro Volleyball (@ProVolleyballIN) February 23, 2019
Because of this victory, Chennai Spartans have also qualified for this year’s FIVB Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship.
The Brief Scores
Chennai Spartans beat Calicut Heroes – 15-11, 15-12, 16-14
The @CalicutHeroes may have lost the final but #HydrogenBoy Ajith Lal took home the @bankofbaroda Most Valuable Player award for his excellent performances through the RuPay PVL!#ThrillKaCall #Chembada pic.twitter.com/dTmYf5TwBL
— Pro Volleyball (@ProVolleyballIN) February 22, 2019
Awards:
1st – Chennai Spartans – Rs 50 Lakhs
Runner’s Up – Calicut Heroes – Rs.20 Lakhs
Nippon Fan Favorite of the Day: Ajith Lal (Calicut Heroes)
RuPay Player of the Match: Naveen Raja Jacob (Chennai Spartans)
Bank of Baroda Most Valuable Player: Ajith Lal (Calicut Heroes)
Peter England Most Stylish Player: Karthik A (Calicut Heroes)
Best Spiker: Rudy Verhoeff (Chennai Spartans)
Best Blocker: David Lee (Kochi Blue Spikers)
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