Emperia Marathas sweep Haryana Hurricanes 3-0, reach VCL final against Delhi Dynamites
Synopsis
Emperia Marathas swept Haryana Hurricanes 3-0 at Noida to set up a date with Delhi Dynamites in the inaugural Volleyball Champions League final on Friday. Shubham Choudhary's Player of the Match display sealed the straight-sets win, with set scores of 22-20, 21-12, and 21-18 telling the story of an increasingly dominant performance.
Key Takeaways
Emperia Marathas defeated Haryana Hurricanes 3-0 (22-20, 21-12, 21-18) at the Noida Indoor Stadium on 21 October 2026 .
The Marathas will face Delhi Dynamites in the inaugural VCL final on Friday .
Shubham Choudhary was named Player of the Match ; Nikhil Choudhary won the Impact Player award.
The victory was secured in straight sets, with the Marathas growing stronger as the match progressed.
Friday's final will crown the first-ever Volleyball Champions League champion.
Emperia Marathas booked their place in the Volleyball Champions League (VCL) final with a dominant 3-0 sweep of Haryana Hurricanes at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Wednesday, 21 October 2026. The Marathas will now face Delhi Dynamites in the inaugural VCL title clash on Friday.
How the Match Unfolded
The opening set was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging points before Emperia Marathas held their nerve in the closing stages to edge it 22-20. The narrow margin belied the composure the Marathas showed under pressure, setting the tone for what followed.
The second set was a different story altogether. Finding greater rhythm in attack and tightening their defensive structure, the Marathas dominated proceedings and ran out convincing 21-12 winners, moving to within one set of the final.
Sensing the danger, Haryana Hurricanes pushed hard for a fightback in the third set, but the Marathas absorbed the pressure and closed it out 21-18, completing a straight-sets victory and confirming their berth in Friday's decider.
Individual Honours
Shubham Choudhary was named Player of the Match for a standout individual display, while his teammate Nikhil Choudhary picked up the Impact Player award for his decisive contribution to the team's win.
What Shubham Choudhary Said
Speaking after the match, Shubham Choudhary said, 'It feels great to reach the final. Haryana Hurricanes put up a strong fight, especially in the first set, and we knew we had to stay focused and make the most of our opportunities. The team showed great belief and worked together throughout the match. We are happy with the win, but our job is not finished yet. We will prepare well for the final against Delhi Dynamites and give everything we have to win the title.'
Eyes on the Inaugural Title
Friday's final carries historic weight — it will crown the first-ever VCL champion. The Marathas enter on the back of a clinical performance, but Delhi Dynamites will present a fresh challenge on the biggest stage. This comes amid growing momentum for volleyball as a professional league sport in India, and the VCL final is shaping up as a significant milestone for the format.
Point of View
A compelling final on Friday matters as much as the result itself.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Emperia Marathas beat to reach the VCL final?
Emperia Marathas beat Haryana Hurricanes 3-0 (set scores 22-20, 21-12, 21-18) at the Noida Indoor Stadium on 21 October 2026 to secure their place in the Volleyball Champions League final.
Who will Emperia Marathas face in the VCL final?
The Marathas will face Delhi Dynamites in the inaugural VCL final, scheduled for Friday, 24 October 2026. The match will decide the first-ever Volleyball Champions League champion.
Who won the individual awards in the Emperia Marathas vs Haryana Hurricanes match?
Shubham Choudhary was named Player of the Match for his standout performance, while his teammate Nikhil Choudhary received the Impact Player award for his contribution to the Marathas' win.
What were the set scores in the Emperia Marathas vs Haryana Hurricanes match?
Emperia Marathas won the first set 22-20, the second 21-12, and the third 21-18, completing a straight-sets 3-0 victory to advance to the VCL final.
What is the Volleyball Champions League (VCL)?
The Volleyball Champions League (VCL) is a professional volleyball league in India. The 2026 edition is the inaugural season of the tournament, with its first-ever final set to be played between Emperia Marathas and Delhi Dynamites on Friday.
