Debutants India claimed CAVA Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup defeating Kazakhstan in straight sets at the National Sports Council covered hall on Sunday.

Hosts and two-time defending champions Nepal finished third after a 3-1 sets win over Uzbekistan at the same venue.

India registered a comfortable 25-15, 25-22, 25-18 victory over Kazakhstan to wrap up the tournament with cent percent winning record ending the four-match winning streak of the opponents.

Nepal, the champions of the last two editions of the tournament formerly known as AVC Asian Central Zone Championship, overcame the first set deficit to register a 20-25, 25-16, 25-15, 25-13 victory in the third place playoff match.

In the semi-final, India had defeated Uzbekistan in straight sets while Nepal had gone down to Kazakhstan in the fifth set. Both the finalists were competing in the tournament for the first time.

Despite failing to defend their crown, Nepal captain Aruna Shahi expressed satisfaction over her side’s performance in the tournament. “We had a good experience in the tournament as we played with higher level teams like India and Kazakhstan,” said Shahi. “We got the opportunity to learn a lot of things and the experience we gained now will be really helpful when we play against physically strong sides in future. But it was disappointing not to be in the final.”

Salina Shrestha of Nepal was declared the best libero while India’s Nirmal was named the most valuable player. Her teammate KS Jini (best setter), S Soorya (first best middle blocker) and KP Anushree (second best outside hitter) also collected individual awards.

Kazakhstan’s Uatayeva Bota was named first best outside hitter and Sitkazinova Zarina was declared best opposite player. Uzbekistan’s Toshkenboyeva Khodisakhon won second best middle blocker award.