Though stretched to four sets 10-15; 15-4; 15-4; 15-3, Modern College emerged new champions to avenge their last year's defeat to Fergusson College.

It was not that Fergusson surrendered after winning the first set, but it was the other side led by Ganesh Khalate which displayed better combination and a better tactical approach in the last three sets. The resultant was, despite Fergusson giving it a hard time, Modern did well to overcame the formers' resurgent bid.

``We changed our combination in the second set. Kishor Pathare and myself took control of the attack and defence in rotation. After the change, Fergusson also had to push Rushikesh Deshmukh in the defence, which is what we wanted. The plan paid off as we attacked thereafter,'' said captain Ganesh Khalate after the win.

The early glimpses of a tough final was seen in the first set itself, when Fergusson made a brilliant comeback after being 0-5 down to level it 6-6 and then go 9-6 up. Fergusson duo of captain Harshad Ghalsasi and Rushikesh Deshmukh did the perfect job, both excelling in dead blocking and drop shots at net, to earn these three vital points.

The pressured was telling on Modern, as Fergusson swelled their lead to 13-8. Thereafter, Modern narrowed the score by two points but not before changing serves nine times. However, it was too late to make a comeback, as Kiran Dudgaonkar twice served flawless to win 15-10.

In the second Modern shot into a 5-0 lead, and then lost three points owing to Harshad's effective blocks. However, Harshad and Rushikesh could not do much thereon as stubborn Modern conceeded just one point thereafter to win the set and level the tie.

Next set was the reverse of the second, this time the pressure pilling on Fergusson, as they muffed in putting the ball across many a time. Modern taking advantage shoot 6-0 lead. Harshad was effective yet again, and his timely blocks aided at times by Rushikesh, to narrow the score to 6-3.

At 8-3, despite service changing seven times, Fergusson failed to take advantage, to add a point allowing Modern to swell their lead to 11-4 and round up the set at 15-4.

The fourth set, saw an early celebration as Modern raced to a 4-2 lead which multiplied and read 10-3 and terminated at 15-3.Teams
Modern College: Rahul Gosavi, Virendra Mujumdar, Ganesh Khalate (Capt.), Kishor Pathare, Ganesh Gavde, Narayan Shinde, Mahesh Pawar, Santosh Bengale, Sridhar Shirke.
Fergusson College: Harshad Ghalsasi (Capt.), Rushikesh Deshmukh, Kiran Dudgaonkar, Santosh Gavde, Ritesh Rai, Mudhu Nambiyar, Vipin Fulke, Ishwar Gaili, Sandeep Kute.