The Ahmedabad Defenders booked a place in the last four after defeating Kolkata Thunderbolts 7-15, 15-10, 15-13, 15-14, 10-15 in the RuPay Prime Volleyball League at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad on Saturday. Ahmedabad moved to the top of the table with eight points from five matches. Ahmedabad Defenders' Shon T John was adjudged the Player of the Match.

Rahul K and Vinit Kumar got the Kolkata Thunderbolts off to a flying start as the side took the lead at 7-3 in the first set. Captain Ashwal Rai also stood tall as Kolkata kept forging ahead. Vinit pulled off a fantastic smash to help the Thunderbolts win a Super Point and take a massive lead at 13-7. The Thunderbolts eventually wrapped up the first set at 15-7.

Shon T John effected two magnificent spikes as the Defenders took the lead at 6-3 in the second set. The Thunderbolts committed a few unforced errors as Ahmedabad dominated the second set at 13-6. The Defenders eventually closed out the second set at 15-10 to get on board.

The Thunderbolts and the Defenders played out a hard-fought contest and were locked at 9-9 in the third set. The Kolkata Skipper Ashwal Rai pulled off a brilliant spike and a block to help his team take the lead at 12-11, but Angamuthu also effected a brilliant spike as the Defenders leveled the scores at 12-12. Thereafter, Hardeep Singh produced a brilliant spike to help his team close out the third set at 15-13 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.

Angamuthu pulled off a brilliant spike and Manoj LM effected a superb block as the Defenders took the lead at 10-8 in the fourth set. However, Vinit produced a fantastic smash as the Thunderbolts leveled the scores at 11-11. But, Shon T John stood tall and helped the Defenders win a Super Point and take the lead at 13-11. Thereafter, Ashwal showed his brilliance as Kolkata leveled the scores at 13-13. However, the Defenders held their nerve and closed out the fourth set at 15-14 to seal the match.

The Kolkata side gained the momentum and took the lead at 8-6 in the final set. Thereafter, Ashwal effected a fantastic block as the Thunderbolts continued to forge ahead. Kolkata eventually wrapped up the final set at 15-10.