Haryana Hurricanes, Ayodhya Garjan seal VCL semi-final berths in Noida
Synopsis
Two teams, two very different routes — Haryana Hurricanes came from a set down to beat Emperia Marathas 2-1, while Ayodhya Garjan swept Delhi Dynamites 3-0 without dropping a set. Both sides are now in the VCL semi-finals, setting up a potentially explosive knockout stage at Noida Indoor Stadium.
Key Takeaways
Haryana Hurricanes defeated Emperia Marathas 2-1 (sets: 18-21, 21-16, 21-13) in the VCL Super 6 at Noida Indoor Stadium on 18 October .
Ayodhya Garjan beat Delhi Dynamites 3-0 (21-12, 21-17, 21-17) to also advance to the semi-finals.
Chirag Yadav won the Player of the Match award for Haryana; Chetan was named Impact Player.
KM Fasil earned Player of the Match honours for Ayodhya; Prince received the Impact Player award.
Both Hurricanes and Garjan are now confirmed in the VCL semi-finals ; fixture dates are yet to be announced.
Haryana Hurricanes and Ayodhya Garjan both booked their places in the semi-finals of the Volleyball Champions League (VCL) on Saturday, 18 October, with contrasting but convincing wins in the Super 6 stage at the Noida Indoor Stadium. Hurricanes edged out Emperia Marathas in a hard-fought three-set contest, while Garjan swept Delhi Dynamites in straight sets to advance to the knockout round.
Haryana Hurricanes Fight Back to Down Emperia Marathas
Haryana Hurricanes overcame an early shock to defeat Emperia Marathas 2-1, with set scores of 18-21, 21-16, 21-13. After surrendering the opening set, the Hurricanes regrouped and raised their tempo to take control of the contest. Their clinical third-set display — winning it by 21-13 — sealed the semi-final spot and underlined the team's resilience.
Chirag Yadav was the standout performer for Haryana, earning the Player of the Match award for his crucial contributions throughout the match. Teammate Chetan was named the Impact Player for his influence from the court.
Speaking after the victory, Yadav said, 'It feels great to win this match and help the Haryana Hurricanes qualify for the semi-finals. Emperia Marathas started strongly and took the first set, but we stayed positive and focused on our plans. We knew we had to raise our intensity, play with better coordination and make the most of our chances. The team responded well in the next two sets, and I am happy that we could finish the job. We will now focus on the semi-finals and give our best to keep this winning run going.'
Ayodhya Garjan Sweep Delhi Dynamites in Dominant Showing
Ayodhya Garjan produced a composed, clinical display to beat Delhi Dynamites 3-0, taking the sets 21-12, 21-17 and 21-17. The result was never seriously in doubt, with Garjan maintaining discipline and consistency even when Delhi pushed harder in the second and third sets. Their straight-set win reflects the kind of squad depth and mental composure that title contenders typically display.
KM Fasil earned the Player of the Match honour for his contribution, while Prince was recognised as the Impact Player of the contest.
Reflecting on the win, Fasil said, 'We came into the contest with a clear plan and focused on executing it well in all three sets. Delhi put up a fight, but we stayed disciplined, supported each other and made sure we did not give them an opportunity to get back into the match. The team has been working hard, and this victory gives us confidence heading into the semi-finals.'
VCL Semi-Finals Picture Takes Shape
With both Hurricanes and Garjan now confirmed in the last four, the semi-final stage of the VCL 2025 is beginning to take shape. The tournament, held at the Noida Indoor Stadium, has provided a competitive platform for club volleyball in India. Both teams will be eyeing continued momentum as the stakes rise in the knockout stage. Fixtures for the semi-finals are yet to be officially announced.
Point of View
And results like these — where teams overcome deficits and execute under pressure — suggest the VCL format is doing its job. Haryana's comeback from a first-set loss is the more instructive result: the ability to reset and dominate a decider (21-13) points to genuine coaching depth. Ayodhya's straight-set efficiency is equally telling. The real test will come in the semi-finals, where both sides meet opponents who have presumably seen their patterns. Whether the VCL can convert this on-court quality into a sustained viewership and broadcast footprint remains the larger question for Indian volleyball's growth story.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which teams have qualified for the VCL semi-finals?
Haryana Hurricanes and Ayodhya Garjan have both qualified for the VCL semi-finals following their Super 6 wins on 18 October at Noida Indoor Stadium. The full semi-final line-up is still being determined as other matches in the stage conclude.
How did Haryana Hurricanes qualify for the VCL semi-finals?
Haryana Hurricanes defeated Emperia Marathas 2-1 in a Super 6 fixture, winning the second set 21-16 and the deciding third set 21-13 after losing the opener 18-21. The result secured their place in the knockout stage of the Volleyball Champions League.
Who won the Player of the Match awards in the VCL Super 6 on 18 October?
Chirag Yadav won the Player of the Match award for Haryana Hurricanes against Emperia Marathas, while KM Fasil claimed the same honour in Ayodhya Garjan's win over Delhi Dynamites. Chetan (Haryana) and Prince (Ayodhya) were named Impact Players in their respective matches.
What was Ayodhya Garjan's winning margin against Delhi Dynamites?
Ayodhya Garjan beat Delhi Dynamites 3-0 in straight sets with scores of 21-12, 21-17 and 21-17. Despite Delhi pushing harder in the second and third sets, Garjan held firm at crucial moments to secure the clean sweep.
Where is the Volleyball Champions League 2025 being held?
The Volleyball Champions League (VCL) Super 6 stage is being played at the Noida Indoor Stadium in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The semi-final fixture dates have not yet been officially announced.
