Kolkata Thunderbolts began their campaign in the second season of the RuPay Prime Volleyball League on a winning note by earning a 3-2 win over Bengaluru Torpedoes in Bangalore on Saturday. The Thunderbolts, the defending champions, won 15-11, 15-11, 15-14, 10-15, 14-15 at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium.

Ashwal Rai, captain of the Thunderbolts, had a good match. Ashwal’s Super Serve was crucial in giving his team the first set. “This was the first Super Serve I did in the match and I am grateful that it helped the team. It came at the right time,” Ashwal said.

Super Serve is when a team aces the serve with the ball landing on the opponent’s court without anyone touching it, earning the serving team two points.

The Thunderbolts captain also insisted that despite being reigning champions, there was no added pressure on them.

“Yes, we are the defending champions, but that doesn’t add any pressure on my performance. My focus is on this season and want to lift that trophy again,” he said.

Deepesh Sinha, another key Thunderbolts player who earned the team crucial points with his spikes, was happy with how the team performed.

“Winning the first match sets the tone for the entire league. The team played really well and never gave up. We were only focused on this game and giving our 100 per cent.

“At one point in time, it was neck and neck, but we always believed in our game and knew that if we didn’t panic and just performed, the result would be in our favour,” Deepak said.

Thunderbolts team director Sumedh Patodia was also happy with the win.