Delhi started off in style as Arun Sharma set up comfortable boosts for the towering Kiral Pal. Even libero N Murali could not handle Kiran's sharp smashes. TN clawed back, with Tulasi Ready and Anand Kurup excelling both in setting up boosts and attack. TN coach R Vijay Kumar wisely brought in tall A Manoharan, whose blocks neutralised Kiran Pal's smashes.

In Mandya, defending champions Punjab men and Indian Railways women scored runaway victories in the National volleyball league (Group I) tonight, to virtually assure themselves berths in the Super League.

Results

Men (Group I): Punjab bt HP 25-14, 25-10, 25-11; Railways bt UP 25-22, 25-19, 25-19.

(Group II): TN bt Delhi 19-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-16; AP bt Delhi 25-16, 23-25, 21-25, 25-18, 15-4.

Women (Group I): Railways bt Karnataka Youth 25-15, 25-14,25-6.

(Group II): West Bengal bt AP 17-25, 25-21, 25-18, 25-15.