Dar Kulaib win finals opener

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Dar Kulaib drew first blood last night in their best-of-three championship series against Al Ahli in the 2023/2024 Isa bin Rashid Bahrain Volleyball League.

The defending champions took the one-game advantage after defeating their rivals 3-1 (26-24, 25-21, 25-27, 25-13) in the series opener, held at a packed Isa bin Rashid Arena at Isa Sports City in Riffa.

Dar Kulaib will now be looking to secure back-to-back titles when they square off once again with Ahli on Wednesday night.

Ahli, on the other hand, will be hoping to extend the series to a decisive third game, scheduled for March 23.

Meanwhile, a bronze medal contest will be held tonight between Muharraq and Al Najma. In last night’s affair, Dar Kulaib started strong but Ahli fought back and used a 7-1 run to break a 13-all deadlock and take control midway through the first set.

Ahli were then 22-18 ahead and appeared to be all set to secure the early match advantage.

But Dar Kulaib roared back, fighting off three set points and tying the proceedings at 24-all with a Caio Oliveira ace.

Mahmoud Abdulwahed then gave them the edge, and then Oliveira had another ace to close out the opening frame.

In the second set, Dar Kulaib were more assertive and Mohammed Yaqoob helped them take a 17-14 lead.

Ayman Isa later came up with a block to secure the 2-0 advantage. Ahli led for most of the third set until a Dar Kulaib double block put them up 19-18.

Another Oliveira ace made it 22- 18, but Ahli put in a valiant effort to claw back and stretch the contest, forcing a fourth frame.

There, Dar Kulaib took command immediately and never wavered. An Abdulwahed spike gave them a 15-7 cushion, and they rode their momentum all the way to the end.

Also playing key roles for Dar Kulaib last night were Ali Habib, Ali Mohammed, Hassan Alaiwi, Hassan Al Warqa and Abdulla Mohammed; while for Ahli, their contributing players were Ali Ebrahim, Nasser Anan, Montenegro professional Marko Vukasinovic, Sayed Mohammed Al Abrar, Mahmoud Abdulhussain, Mohammed Habib, and Hussain Al Haiki.