NPC, New Diamond, APF progress to semis

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Dec. 31: Nepal Police Club (NPC), New Diamond Sports Club and Armed Police Force (APF) Club have advanced to the semi‑finals of the ninth NVA Cup Volleyball Championship in the women’s category.

NPC stunned APF with a 3–2 victory in a five‑set thriller at the National Sports Council’s Covered Hall in Kathmandu. 

Police dominated the opening two sets, winning 25–21 and 25–15. APF staged an impressive comeback to claim the next two sets 25–22 and 25–21, but Police sealed the decisive fifth set 15–9 to secure their place in the last four.

Despite the defeat, APF also progressed to the semi‑finals from Group B. With two wins and one loss, APF have six points, while NPC also sit on six points with one match in hand.

New Diamond Sports Club eased past Everest Volleyball Club in straight sets to extend their winning run to three in the women’s section. They registered 25–21, 25–15 and 25–14 to finish as Group A winners. Earlier, New Diamond had recorded straight‑set victories over Chuli Youth Club and Tribhuvan Army Club.

Meanwhile, in the men’s competition, Khilji Youth Club defeated Dhorpatan Sports Club 3–0 to book their spot in the quarter‑finals from Group B. 

Khilji won convincingly with scores of 25–15, 25–19 and 25–23. They will face departmental side Army in the next round, while Dhorpatan exit the tournament.

With two consecutive victories, NPC had already secured their berth in the knockout stage as Group B winners. 

APF also entered the last eight in the men’s section following their straight‑set win over Mani Mukunda Volleyball Club. 

In the final fixture of Group A, APF overcame Mani Mukunda 25–10, 25–16, 29–27 to finish as group runners‑up and advance to meet Group C winners Rukum Paschim Volleyball Club.

Help Nepal Sports Club have already booked their place in the quarter‑finals from Group A with two straight wins.

Organised by the Nepal Volleyball Association, the championship will continue until 3 January. A total of 12 men’s teams and eight women’s teams are competing in this year’s event.