The Super League phase of the Munchee National Volleyball Championship 2016, organized by the Ceylon Biscuits Limited, along with the Volleyball Association of Sri Lanka commenced for the fourth day (14th) at the Maharagama Youth Services Indoor Complex.
Men’s Super League
Air Force v Army
The unbeaten Army team was up against the formidable Air Force team for the first game of the day. Air Force dominated Army during the first set to take it by 25-19.
Army struck back immediately to return the favor as they reversed the score line from the first set to pull things back on level terms. (25-19)
Despite the spirited efforts of Mohomed Rafeek and Malith Danidu in the second set for Army, the airmen managed to regain the advantage by winning the third set 25-20.
Both teams were neck and neck in the fourth set, however, Air Force ones again seized the opportunity and leveled the match up at two sets a piece winning the set 25-19.
The fifth set was nothing short of entertainment as the game was tied a quite a few occasions at 11-11, 13-13 and 15-15 respectively. The game continued on till one of the teams had to be separated by two points. Eventually, Sudara, Sujith and Lahiru turned up the heat on Army as Air Force managed to take the fifth set 20-18, winning the match by three sets to two.
Brandix v Police
Hashmitha Perera and Haritha Hashan sprung into life for Brandix as they managed to edge past the experienced cops to take it 25-20.
With a spell of sensible play Brandix managed to double their advantage as they took the second set 25-19.
The cops woke up to the task in the third set when they played an attacking style of play. G. Terrance and A. Manamperi were the top performers in winning the set 25-14 with ease.
The fourth set, was keenly contested by both teams as they traded spikes. The youth of Brandix prevailed as they eventually managed to bag the set 27-25, consequently taking the game by three sets to one.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority v Sri Lanka Navy
The Ports Authority comprising of some Sri Lanka’s finest talents entered into this tie as favorites. Navy were no second to the task as they had the services of veterans such as Morris Chandimal.
The ports authority dominated from the outset as they bagged the first two sets with ease. Despite a brief comeback by Navy in the third set they merely delayed the inevitable as Port’s authority managed a commanding win in the fourth set to take the game by three sets to one.
CEB v Youth Services
Heavyweights CEB entered the arena in the fourth game of day to take on the young and talented line up of Youth Services. Youth services upset the applecart as they shocked CEB to take the first set 25-16.
With a tactical thinking of CEB avoiding the strong Army outfit in the semifinal phase looming among the gathered it seemed rather evident when CEB went on to lose remaining sets and the match 25-16, 25-17, 25-16.
Women’s Super League
Sri Lanka Army v Sri Lanka Police
Due to the police women not turning up for the clash a walk over was handed to the Army women’s team at the first game of the draw.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority v Casual line
With a strong offensive play Casual line overpowered Port’s Authority to take the first set 25-08. Having a rich pool of youth at their disposal Casual Line made fair weather of the Port’s Authority challenge winning the second a third sets 25-23, 25-22 respectively to win in three straight sets.
Sri Lanka Air Force v Sri Lanka Navy
Navy took the first set amid the roars of the crowds that were gathered as it ended 26-24. Air Force bounced back immediately winnings the second set 25-19. It was a shoulder to shoulder tussle in the third set, however Navy prevailed in the end as they took the set 25-22. The fourth was yet another nail biter as it went down to the wire, Navy came up trumps in the end taking the set 25-22 and winning the game by three sets to one.
Day three ended with a few shock results as much as raising a few questions regarding tournament favorites CEB. The women’s draw was heating up in the nick of time as the conclusion of this year’s competition promises a blockbuster finish.
 at the Maharagama Youth Services Indoor Complex.){kind=link}