Katana United - Open Men's Champions (2017 Dialog President's Gold Cup)
Wijaya SC, Koswadiya and Katana United became back to back champions defeating Kapila SC and Nattandiya United respectively in the women’s and men’s Open championship at the 2017 Dialog President’s Gold Cup Volleyball Championship held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.
2016 Open Results: Katana United & Koswadiya Wijaya Gold Cup Champions
Wijaya SC v Kapila SC (Open Women’s Final)
Wijaya SC, Koswadiya defeated Kapila SC, Siyambalagoda 25-11, 27-25, 19-25, 23-25, 15-9 to win the Women’s open championship.
Wijaya, Kapila, Casualline & Siri Parakum in Women’s finals
Wijaya SC and Kapila SC will play in the Women’s Open final while..
Wijaya SC comfortably beat 2015 finalists Golden Birds SC in straight sets 25-21, 25-16 & 25-20 in the semi-final. The other semi-final went to 4 sets where Kapila SC won the 1st two sets 25-23 and 25-18. Casualline bounced back to win a close 3rd set 23-25. But, Kapila SC made sure they made it to the final winning the 4th set 25-20.
Defending six time champions Wijaya SC outclassed Kapila SC taking an early 8-3 lead and went on to win the 1st set 25-11. Kapila SC entered the 2nd set with intent and took a 9-11 lead. They were on the brink of winning the 2nd set at 19-24 but Wijaya SC stormed back with 5 unanswered points and eventually won the set 27-25.
With their backs against the wall Kapila SC started the 3rd set poorly at 8-3 but at the end of the 2nd technical time-out took a 15-16 lead. They would ride on the momentum, winning the set 19-25.
The 4th set saw Kapila SC taking the initiative to take a 4-1 lead. But, Wijaya kept in touching distance of their opponents and equalized late in the game at 18-18 only to see the set slip away with Kapila SC winning 23-25.
Wijaya SC took command of the deciding 5th set taking a 5-1 lead and maintained it throughout the rest of the set to win 15-9 and with it their 7th back to back championship.
Golden Birds SC avenged their group stage loss with a 25-17 & 25-21 win against Casualline SC to finish in 3rd place.
Awards
Best Server – Sachini Charuka (Wijaya SC)
Best Receiver – Chandima Akarawita (Kapila SC)
Best Setter – Iresha Surangani Perera (Kapila SC)
Best Attacker – Thilini Wasana Perera (Kapila SC)
Best Blocker – Chathurika Ranasinghe (Wijaya SC)
Best Defender – Dilusha Sanjeewani (Wijaya SC)
Most Valuable Player – Dinesha Prasadani (Wijaya SC)
Katana United v Nattandiya United (Open Men’s Final)
Katana United defeated Nattandiya United 25-21, 23-25, 24-26, 25-21, 15-12 to win the men’s open championship.
Katana Utd, Nattandiya Utd, Vijayaba & Chilaw Utd in men’s finals
Katana United and Nattandiya United will meet in the Men’s..
Katana United defeated last year’s runners-up Rantharu SC, Debegama 25-22, 25-23, 25-20, 25-27 & 15-9 in the 1st semi-final and Nattandiya United defeated Balares SC, Boralesgamuwa 25-18, 25-22 & 25-15 in the 2nd semi-final.
In the final, the experienced Katana United took the game lightly in the 1st set but managed to win it 25-21. Nattandiya United took advantage of Katana’s complacency to lead 16-14 and though their opponents equalized soon after, managed to win the 2nd set 23-25.
Nattandiya were 8-5 at one point and won the 3rd set 26-24, even with the constant pressure from Katana.
Awaking to the fact that their title defense was in jeopardy, Katana Utd started off the 4th set with four unanswered points. Even with Nattandiya coming close at 8-7, Katana won the 4th set 25-21 taking the enthralling game to a deserving decider.
Nattandiya looked to have the advantage in the 5th set with a 4-1 lead but Katana equaled the scores at 10-10. In the tense final few points, the experience of the Katana lads was evident as they went on a 5-2 run to win 15-12.
Balares SC came in 3rd after they were given a walkover by Rantharu SC in the play-off.
Awards
Best Server – Dilina Sudaraka (Nattandiya United)
Best Receiver – Nuwan Chamika (Katana United)
Best Setter – Danushka Dilshan (Katana United)
Best Attacker – Nadeepa Lakshan (Nattandiya United)
Best Blocker – Sajith Lahiru (Katana United)
Best Defender – Janith Randika (Nattandiya United)
Most Valuable Player – Janitha Surath (Katana United)
