Nepal suffer first loss at CAVA Nations League

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Aug. 5: Iran handed Nepal its first defeat at the CAVA Women's Volleyball Nations League on Sunday. 

Despite coming into the game with confidence after their historic win against title holders India on Saturday, Nepal lost to Iran 2-3 in a thrilling five-set match at the Covered Hall of Dasarath Rangasala. 

Iran took the first set 25-16, but Nepal fought back and claimed the second set with an identical score. 

However, Iran prevailed in the competitive third set by 25-23. Nepal then comfortably won the fourth set 25-15, leading to a deciding fifth set. 

Despite Nepal's efforts to close the gap taking the score to 13-14, Iran emerged victorious producing a perfect rally to claim the set point and win the final set by 15-13. 

With this win, Iran now has seven points from four matches, while Nepal has six points from three matches. 

Nepal will play its final match against the winless Maldives on Monday. Defending champion India will be taking Sri Lanka in its last league match on Monday. The win will send India, who has seven points, atop of the table. 

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka secured its first victory of the tournament by defeating the Maldives in three straight sets. Sri Lanka now has four points from three matches, having previously suffered losses against Nepal and Iran. The Maldives' losses against India and Iran confirmed the semi-final spots for Nepal, India, Iran, and Sri Lanka.