Chennai Spartans defeated Ahmedabad Defenders 4-1 (15-6, 13-15, 15-13, 15-11, 15-12) in a Pro Volleyball League match here Sunday, to secure a spot in the play-offs.
The host joined Calicut Heroes and Kochi Blue Spikers in the semifinals.
The fourth and final play-off spot would be decided after Monday's match between U Mumba Volley and Ahmedabad Spikers.
Rudy Verhoeff created a new milestone for the season by levelling his own record of 20 points (18 spikes and 2 serve points) in a single match for the third time.
Verhoeff also became the player with highest number of points in the league at 80 points.
Chennai started the match with a streak of points to race to a 6-3 lead.
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Ruslans Sorokins and Rudy Verhoeff continued from where they left on Saturday.
Sorokins and Verhoeff scored 3 points each including a Super Serve to help Chennai enter the first Technical Time Out (TTO) with a 9-3 lead.
After the TTO, Chennai kept the pressure up.
Ahmedabad called for a Super Point at 5-11 but couldn't take the advantage.
Chennai closed the set 15-6 with a Naveen Raja Jacob spike.
Ahmedabad started the second set on a positive note going up 4-0 before Chennai bounced back to reduce the deficit to 5-7.
Both teams fought hard till the last point of the set.
At 13-14, Jacob's serve went out and Ahmedabad won the set 15-13.
The third set was a hard-fought one and at 14-13, a Sorokins spike closed the set 15-13 in Chennai's favour.
In the next, Chennai carried the momentum and took an 8-5 lead at TTO with Verhoeff leading the attack yet again.
Ahmedabad called for a Super Point at 9-11 but failed to convert giving Chennai a four-point advantage.
Chennai didn't let the lead slip and won the set 15-11.
Chennai led 3-1 at this point.
The final set was only of mathematical consequence as Chennai had already qualified for the playoffs.
Inspite of that both teams went toe-to-toe even in the last set.
Chennai lead at TTO 8-7.
Chennai called for a Super Point at 9-10 and converted.
Ahmedabad did the same but failed to convert giving Chennai at 3-point advantage.
Chennai closed the set 15-12 and the match 4-1.