PVL 2025: Ahmedabad Defenders Deal First Loss of the Season to Mumbai Meteors
Nandhagopal’s stellar performance powered Ahmedabad Defenders to a big win over Mumbai Meteors, ending their unbeaten run in the Prime Volleyball League.
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], October 23: The Ahmedabad Defenders handed the previously unbeaten Mumbai Meteors their first defeat of the season in the RR Kabel Prime Volleyball League powered by Scapia at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad, on Saturday. Ahmedabad triumphed 12–15, 15–7, 15–12, 21–20, with Nandhagopal earning Player of the Match honours. The win propelled the Defenders to second place on the points table with 12 points from six games, while the Meteors dropped to third.
Ahmedabad got off to a strong start with Nandha leading the charge, and Muthusamy Appavu orchestrating attacks from the middle to exploit Abhinav’s strengths. Mumbai countered by targeting gaps in Zone 2, with Mathias Loftesnes scoring a crucial super serve. Petter Ostvik blocked Angamuthu twice, but relentless service pressure from Dhruvil Shah kept the contest level. A calculated super serve from the Meteors earned them the opening set, but Ahmedabad fought back to claim the remaining three sets and seal the upset.
Battur Batsuuri started the counterattack for Ahmedabad. Angamuthu started finding his rhythm and tested Mumbai’s defence. Nandha’s super spike earned Ahmedabad a super point, bringing the game to level pegging.
Constant attacks from Batsuuri and Angamuthu allowed the Defenders to take hold of the game. Trailing behind, Mumbai brought in the veteran blocker Karthik, whose super serve immediately put the pressure back on Ahmedabad. Nikhil’s left-handed spike also added attacking flair to Mumbai.
A tremendous service from Nandha brought Ahmedabad back into the lead in the thrilling fourth set. The game ended with Angamuthu blocking Loftesnes, and Ahmedabad registered a memorable win to get all three points.
