Changtongya Volleyball Association (CVA) produced a dramatic five-set victory over defending champions MH-10 Kohima to book a place in the final of the 14th Luke Sasong Memorial Volleyball Trophy 2026 at the Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium, Mokokchung, on Thursday.
In a thrilling semi-final between two of the most established rivals in the Nagaland volleyball circuit, CVA recovered from losing the opening set 18-25 to prevail 23-25, 25-20, 25-15, 15-11 in the remaining sets and secure their place in the championship match.
The result ended MH-10 Kohima’s bid for a third consecutive title. The defending champions had won the 2022 edition and successfully defended the title in 2024, defeating familiar opponents CVA in a five-set final.
In the other semi-final, Savage Setters Volleyball Club Chungtia defeated Longsa Sporting Association in straight sets, winning 25-20, 25-15, 25-10. Savage Setters had topped Pool A, while Longsa advanced as Pool B runners-up.
Earlier in the day, Longsa defeated Pangti Volleyball Team 27-29, 25-21, 25-3, before MH-10 Kohima secured their semi-final berth with a 25-14, 25-15 win over Twin Brothers. The defeat ended Twin Brothers’ campaign without a win.
CVA maintained their unbeaten run by defeating Longsa Sporting Association 25-20, 25-19 to finish as Pool B winners, with Longsa taking the runners-up spot and qualifying for the semi-finals.
Savage Setters then eliminated reigning Imchaba Master Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy champions Ever Green Club Ungma, winning 25-15, 25-20. Ever Green Club, regarded as one of the strong title contenders, missed out on the semi-finals after securing just one win from three matches.
In the final league match, Pangti defeated United Brothers Chakpa 25-17, 23-25, 25-23. The victory provided Pangti with a consolation win, with neither side advancing to the semi-finals. United Brothers, like Twin Brothers, finished the tournament without a win.
The biennial All Nagaland Open tournament, organised by the Luke Sasong Sporting Association under the aegis of the Mangmetong Students’ Union, will conclude on September 18.
MH-10 Kohima will face Longsa Sporting Association for third place at 2:30 pm on Friday, followed by the final between Savage Setters Volleyball Club Chungtia and Changtongya Volleyball Association.