The Hyderabad Black Hawks secured a victory against the Calicut Heroes with scores of 15-12, 18-16, and 18-16 during the thrilling opening match of the fourth season of the RR Kabel Prime Volleyball League powered by Scapia at Gachibowli Indoor Stadium on Thursday. Paulo Lamounier earned the title of Player of the Match. Indian film star Vijay Deverakonda, co-owner of the Black Hawks, was present to support his team. Calicut’s Vikas Maan showcased impressive blocking skills that initially hindered Hyderabad’s offensive plays. Coach Sunny Joseph’s decision to start Ashok Bishnoi from Rajasthan proved beneficial for Calicut, as his aggressive performance bolstered the team. Sahil Kumar initiated a counter-attack that brought Hyderabad back into the contest.
However, Calicut struggled with first touches, which disrupted their rhythm, allowing the Hawks to take control. While Shameem helped Calicut regain some momentum, Paulo’s disciplined play ensured Hyderabad remained on track. Ashok managed to secure a critical super point for Calicut, keeping the match competitive. Vitor Yudi Yamamoto’s cross attacks consistently challenged the defending champions, giving the Hawks an advantage. Bishnoi’s effective super serves shifted the momentum again, energizing their fans. Calicut maintained their super serve, earning vital points. In response, the Black Hawks executed a super serve, with Niyas exploiting gaps in Calicut’s defense to secure the victory for the home team.