By Sachit Subba • Volleyball • May 22, 2026 13:57 PM • 32 views
KATHMANDU — Nepal’s quest for regional volleyball supremacy hit an immediate roadblock at home. The hosts fell in a heartbreaking set loss to arch-rivals India in their opening match of the CAVA Women's Volleyball Championship. In front of a passionate National Sports Council Covered Hall crowd in Tripureshwar, the youthful Nepali side showed resilience but ultimately lost 3-2 in a high-stakes thriller that tested both teams.
This opening fixture carried significant narrative weight, serving as a highly anticipated rematch of the 2024 final, in which India snatched the title from Nepal on this very court. Eager to rewrite the script under newly appointed captain Niruta Thagunna, who wore the skipper's armband for the first time, Nepal started with blistering intent. The hosts set the tempo early, rattling the visitors with sharp spikes and a disciplined defensive block, taking the opening set 25-21.
The structural tide shifted dramatically in the second and third frames. India, showing the tactical poise expected of regional heavyweights, launched a fierce counter-offensive. Capitalising on unforced errors from a transitioning Nepali squad featuring six debutants, the Indian side targeted the gaps to claim the next two sets 25-20 and 25-19, effectively turning the match on its head.
With their backs against the wall, the home side refused to fold. Roared on by home supporters, Nepal saved three set points in a tense fourth set, eventually grinding out a 25-21 win to tie the match at two sets apiece and force a winner-take-all fifth. However, the deciding set proved too much for the hosts. India took an early 6-1 lead, reasserted dominance at the net, and quickly sealed the final set 15-9, earning a crucial opening victory.
The stakes for this eight-nation tournament extend far beyond local bragging rights. For the first time, the championship serves as an official FIVB ranking event. For an unranked Nepali side, every set won and lost directly shapes their aspiration to break into the global volleyball hierarchy. They also aim to qualify for the prestigious Women's Asian Cup. Nepal sits in Group A, a challenging Group alongside India, Kyrgyzstan, and the Maldives. Group B features regional powerhouses Iran, Kazakhstan, and Sri Lanka, along with a Bangladesh squad.
Earlier in the day, Group B kicked off with a statement performance from a formidable Iranian side. They thoroughly outclassed Bangladesh in a lopsided, straight-sets victory (25-6, 25-9, 25-10). Captain Thagunna will lead her squad back onto the court tomorrow for a must-win encounter against Kyrgyzstan. Their semifinal hopes hang in the balance.
