By Sachit Subba • Volleyball • Sep 04, 2026 16:38 PM • 29 views
On the first day of the first Nepal Volleyball League, the Sagarmatha Smashers and the Karnali Shivraj won four-set matches at the National Sports Council Covered Hall in Tripureshwor. The two teams set an early benchmark in this historic tournament, which has never before seen such high stakes in domestic volleyball.
In the first match of the tournament, the Sagarmatha Smashers beat the Madhesh Warriors three sets to one. They set the early tempo and executed their attacks efficiently. The Smashers won the first two sets by the same score, 25 to 21, putting heavy pressure on their opponents. The Madhesh Warriors did not give in easily. A determined Madhesh team fought back in the third set, which was very closely contested, and won 25 to 23 to level the match. That short comeback, however, ended. During the interval, the Sagarmatha Smashers regrouped and entered the fourth set with greater intensity. They took complete control of the court and caused several errors from Madhesh. Sagarmatha then finished the fourth set 25 to 15 and secured the victory, earning their first points of the season.
The second match of the day was a much more closely fought affair. Karnali Shivraj managed to beat a determined Annapurna Spiker Kings team, winning three sets to one. Karnali began the match well and won the first set 25 to 22. Annapurna then reacted quickly and adjusted its defensive setup. A calm, composed Annapurna side took the second set 25 to 19, levelling the match at one set all. The decisive third set tested both teams' stamina and composure as they exchanged points. Karnali secured key points in the final rallies and won the set 25 to 23 against Annapurna. Building on that momentum, Karnali kept its concentration in the fourth set and finished the match with a 25 to 22 victory.
Pahal Gahatraj, captain of Karnali, was awarded the Player of the Match title for his outstanding leadership. After Annapurna levelled the match in the second set, Gahatraj led his team and kept players focused under pressure. His calm on-court presence helped Karnali execute its game plan effectively during the difficult final two sets.
The event, organised by the Kedia Group, includes six teams in a single round-robin tournament through the 25th of Bhadra. This competition marks the first men's franchise league in Nepali volleyball history. The league champion will receive two million rupees, the biggest cash prize ever awarded in Nepal. With this format, there is no scope for error, so the first-day wins are especially important for both the Sagarmatha Smashers and the Karnali Shivraj.
