Lalitpur queens make winning start at EWVL

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct.1: The Everest Women Volleyball League (EWVL), the first franchise league of Nepali volleyball, kicked off on Monday at the Dasarath Rangasala Covered Hall in Kathmandu. The inaugural match saw Lalitpur Queens secure a victory, defeating Kathmandu Spikers with scores of 25-20, 21-25, 25-21, and 25-19. Likewise, Karnali Yashvis defeated Madhesh United in the second match.

Studded with marquee player Usha Bhandari, Bulgaria’s setter Andrea Tsvetanova, Turkye’s outside hitter Fulden Ural and Opposite Hitter Pelin Eroktay, Kathmandu was one of the strong teams in the league. But the result came quite the opposite as Kathmandu players struggled in the inaugural match.

Lalitpur faced a setback when their outside hitter, Sutadta Chuewulim, sustained an injury while spiking the ball in the third set. However, they managed to rally together as a team, winning the third and fourth sets to clinch the match. 

Lalitpur’s coach, Utsav Khadka, praised the team’s collective effort and resilience, noting that despite weaknesses in the receiving part, the players displayed their best game to secure the win.

Libero Salina Shrestha is the marquee player of Lalitpur and the team has all three international players from Thailand- Sutadta, Waranya Srilaoong (outside hitter) and Pattrathip Santrakoon (setter).