Air Force v Army, who will win the battle of the giants?

The final of the Women’s Super League of the 10th Munchee National Volleyball Championship 2017 will undoubtedly be an intense battle with the two volleyball giants in Sri Lanka women’s Volleyball arena; Air Force SC and Army SC qualifying for the championship decider.

Air Force down MAS; Army too good for Ports

Air Force SC and Army SC defeated MAS Casualline…

These two teams have totally dominated the Sri Lanka women’s Volleyball arena over the past few years, constantly proving that the only challenge that they have here is each other. So, who will be able to outclass the other and have the last smile as the champion of the Women’s Super League of the 10th Munchee National Volleyball Championship?

Air Force SC

It was Air Force SC who grabbed the most number of National Level Volleyball championships in the competitions held last year. And as the reigning National Champions, they were also able to seize the championship of the Women’s Super League of the Munchee National Volleyball Championship 2016.

In the semi-final, Air Force came from a set down to defeat MAS Casualline 20-25, 25-18, 25-22 & 25-20 in a repeat of last year’s final.

Group A Results

Air Force SC 17-25, 25-27, 25-13, 25-6, 16-14 SLPA
Air Force SC 25-17, 25-23, 25-7 Navy SC
Air Force SC 28-30, 26-28, 25-10, 25-15, 15-10 SLPA
Air Force SC 29-27, 25-15, 25-21 Navy

The Air Force SC team is a perfect mix of experienced players including the Captain of the Sri Lanka National Women’s Volleyball team as well as youth sensations. The team is under the guidance of Nalin Sampath Abeysinghe, who is a veteran Volleyball player, coach and an apt Volleyball critic.

Key Players

• Dinesha Prasadini – The powerful High Attacker with a height of 173cm from the Senanayake National College, Madapme, she has represented the Sri Lanka National Women’s Volleyball team since 2004. The choice for captaincy of the women’s national team hasn’t gone beyond her name for quite a while.

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• Chathurika Ranasinghe – The Quick attacker from Keerthibandara Vidyalaya, Walapane, who was crowned as the best player last year and has also has been able to establish herself as the permanent Quick Attacker of the women’s national team. She has performed exceptionally well even in this years’ competition.
  

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• Anusha Sandamali – The High attacker with a height of 169cm was adjudged as the best server last year. She is a product of St. Matthew College, Deniyaya.
  

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• Shyama Madhuranga – The Libero player from Senanayake National College, Madapme is one of the best Libero players in Sri Lanka. She is well known for her agility on the court.
  

Although winning championships has become sort of a habit to the team from Air Force SC, they are well aware of the threat that the Army SC can pose when facing them in a final.

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Army SC

Army SC has been able to produce the most number of players to the Sri Lanka National Women’s Volleyball team. Although their journey in the Munchee National Volleyball Championship last year concluded in the semifinals as they suffered a loss against Air Force SC, they now have the perfect opportunity to avenge that defeat and become the champions.

However, this time they might not have the service of Hashini Lakshika who has recently undergone a knee surgery. The team from Army SC comprises of several senior national & U23 level players. The responsibility of guiding the team to the championship is bestowed upon the shoulders of the veteran coach Sarath de Silva.

Army SC defeated Sri Lanka Ports Authority 25-23, 25-21 & 25-16 to book a place in the final.

Group B Results

MASCL 20-25, 21-25, 16-25 Army SC
Army SC 25-11, 25-14, 25-6 NYSC
Army SC 33-31, 25-20, 25-22 MASCL
Army SC 25-13, 25-12, 25-13 NYSC

Key Players

• Iresha Perera – Being a product of Oruwala Maha Vidyalaya, she has represented the women’s national Volleyball team for over 10 years as a Ball Setter. Her experience will definitely prove to be vital for Army SC in the finals.
  

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• Thilini Wasana – The High Attacker from Anamaduwa Central College is the captain of the U23 national women’s Volleyball team while she also represents the senior national team.
  

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• Apsara Sewmali – The powerful, young player of the national women’s Volleyball team will be a valuable asset for Sri Lanka in the future with the age on her side.

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• Ayesha Madurika – Being a product of Dhammissara National College, Nattandiya, she has been acknowledged as one of the most vicious attackers in the country. With her experience in the national team and ability to turn a game around at any moment, the success of Army SC in the finals will depend on her to a great extent.
  

Both teams are now fully prepared to face each other in the final of the Women’s Super League of the 10th Munchee National Volleyball Championship. Although predicting a winner is impossible with the prowess that both teams possess, what can be predicted is that this will undoubtedly be an intense confrontation between two Volleyball giants in the country.