By Sachit Subba • Volleyball • Sep 09, 2026 16:37 PM • 38 views
On Wednesday, Kathmandu Reds changed the course of the Nepal Volleyball League (NVL) title race. In a closely contested four-set match at the National Sports Council Covered Hall, they secured their first win over Karnali Shivraj in the tournament. This result prevented Karnali from gaining an automatic place in the final early on. It also allowed the Annapurna Spiker Kings to take the lead in the standings after they convincingly defeated the now-eliminated Khaptad Falcons.
Karnali started the match on a three-game winning streak, and a win would have given them a direct route to the championship match. Kathmandu would not give in. The Reds won the first set 28 to 26, then used that momentum to dominate the second set 25 to 18 and build a two-set lead. In the third set, Karnali mounted a comeback and won 25 to 21, keeping themselves in the match. Kathmandu immediately halted the rally and controlled the pace in the fourth set to win 25 to 21, securing their third win of the tournament. This victory greatly strengthens their playoff chances. Kathmandu and Karnali are now level at eight points after four matches.
In the afternoon, the Annapurna Spiker Kings defeated the Khaptad Falcons by winning all three sets. They secured their victory with scores of 25 to 15, 25 to 15, and 29 to 27. This win was Annapurna's third success of the season and moved them to the top of the league with nine points. The result confirmed Khaptad's elimination from the tournament. The Falcons suffered their fourth straight defeat and failed to win a single set all season.
The focus now turns to the high-pressure final day of the single round-robin stage. Three important matches will decide the top three positions. At 1:00 PM, Annapurna will play against Sagarmatha, and a win will give Annapurna a direct path to the championship game. Later in the day, Karnali will play Madhesh, and Kathmandu will face Khaptad to complete the stage.
The Kedia Group is organising the NVL, the first organised tournament of its kind, with assistance from the Nepal Volleyball Association. It includes a prize fund of 3.2 million rupees, the largest ever offered in Nepali volleyball history. The tournament winner will receive 2 million rupees. After the group stage, the first-place team will go directly to the title match on September 12. The teams that come in second and third will play a playoff to determine the remaining spot.
