Karnali Yashvis won the title of the inaugural Everest Women’s Volleyball League after they defeated Lalitpur Queens 3-2 in a thrilling final at the National Sports Council’s covered hall in Kathmandu on Saturday.

Karnali had reached the final of the league unbeaten and were favourites to win the trophy but had to survive scare from Lalitpur before seizing a hard-fought victory.

Lalitpur came into the finals with two losses in their five matches and also had received favour from Karnali to pip Kathmandu Spikers to the second spot by a narrow one point in the six-team standings.

The top two teams progressed into the final.

Karnali dominated the game from the start and took the first and the second set comfortably, storming to 25-17, 25-20 victories.

But Lalitpur recovered from two sets down, controlled the third set from the beginning with a 20-10 lead before winning it 25-12.

The Queens continued the momentum and pushed the game to a deciding fifth set with a 25-18 victory in the fourth.

The action of the fifth set was more competitive, with Lalitpur first gaining advantage with a 11-9 lead after tying at 5-5.

But Karnali showed Lalitpur why they deserved the title taking the contest to 11-11 before leading with 13-12.

Karnali closed in on victory adding a point but Lalitpur resisted pushing the score to 14-13.

Karnali then won the championship point and won the deciding set 15-13.

It’s amazing to become champions undefeated. I am really proud of my team, said Karnali’s Zeynep Outran, who won the player of the match and was also declared the most valuable player of the tournament during the presentation ceremony.

“It was difficult but everybody did their job. We deserved it,” she added.

Runners-up Lalitpur won Rs300,000, while champions Karnali walked away with Rs700,000.