Kathmandu, February 4

All four participating teams, Nepal APF Club, Tops HS School, Shivam New Diamond Academy and Tribhuvan Army Club, advanced to the semi-finals of the first Shivam New Diamond Cup National Open Women’s Volleyball Tournament that kicked off here at the Dhorpatan Sports Training Club courts today.

APF, who won the title of the 13th Red Bull Dhorpatan UM Women’s Double League Volleyball title on Saturday, saw off Tops in straight sets to finish as Group A winners. APF defeated Tops 25-12, 25-22, 25-10 to secure last four berth. Tops made it to the semis as runners-up in the two-team group.

Similarly, NDA and TAC became Group B winners and runners-up. NDA, who finished second in the women’s double league, beat TAC 25-13, 25-19, 25-17. The top six teams of the Women’s Double League Volleyball were set to compete in the tournament but Nepal Police Club and Shree Gaun Sports Development Committee decided not to compete in the tournament.

In Monday’s semi-finals, Group A winners APF will play against Group B runners-up TAC, while Group A runners-up Tops face Group B winners NDA. The third place and final matches are scheduled for Tuesday.

Top two teams of the league-cum-knockout tournament will get Rs 151,000 and Rs 101,000 respectively. The third and fourth placed sides will receive Rs 51,000 and Rs 21,000 respectively. Similarly, the best player of the tournament will take home Rs 10,000, while the best spiker, setter, blocker, quicker, server and defender will be awarded with Rs 5,000 each.

New Diamond Academy is organising the tournament under the sponsorship of Shivam Cement.