Evergreen Club Ungma produced a remarkable fightback to defeat defending champions MH-10 Kohima 3–2 in the final of the 18th Imchaba Master Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy 2025, held before a packed crowd at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, Mokokchung.
The final began with MH-10 Kohima asserting early dominance, winning the first two sets 25–20 and 25–22. Their experienced core, led by setter Tongpangsunep, controlled the play through steady passing and disciplined attack combinations. At that stage, the defending champions appeared on course for a straight-sets victory.
The third set, however, proved to be the turning point. MH-10 started strong once again and looked confident to close the match, but a late surge from Evergreen Club Ungma shifted the momentum. Capitalizing on MH-10’s loss of rhythm and a series of crucial unforced errors, Evergreen clawed back into the set and snatched it 25–16, altering the flow of the match.
Evergreen maintained their play in the fourth set, sustaining pressure from the unbeatable MH-10. MH-10 struggled to regain their earlier momentum, yet the set remained closely contested with multiple ties as both teams traded points neck-and-neck from midway onward. Evergreen eventually broke through at a crucial juncture, closing the set 25–21 to force the decider.
The fifth and final set turned into a battle of endurance and focus. It began with both sides matching each other point-for-point—1–1, then 1–2 and 1–3 in favour of Evergreen. MH-10 responded to narrow the gap to 2–3, followed by another equalizer at 3–3. When MH-10 served to take a 4–3 lead, a dispute arose over an official decision that went against Evergreen Club Ungma. The call immediately drew strong reactions from sections of the crowd, with fans voicing their disapproval and engaging in heated exchanges near the stands. The situation escalated briefly, leading to commotion and a 20-minute suspension of play before the match resumed under tightened supervision.
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This year’s tournament featured 14 teams from across Nagaland competing in a league-cum-knockout format. The winners received ₹1,00,000, runners-up ₹70,000, while the third and fourth-placed teams took home ₹30,000 and ₹20,000 respectively. Individual awards carried ₹5,000 each.
Individual Awards:
Best Setter: Limatenzuk (Evergreen Club Ungma)
Best Spiker: Bendangtemsu (Evergreen Club Ungma)
Player of the Tournament: Imlichuba (MH-10 Kohima)
The 18th Imchaba Master Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy 2025 concluded with Evergreen Club Ungma lifting the coveted title after overturning a two-set deficit while ending MH-10 Kohima’s title reign.
3rd Place Playoff: United Changki vs Spadroon Club Chungtia
United Changki clinched third place after edging Spadroon Club Chungtia 2–1 (26–24, 21–25, 15–12) in a close contest. Spadroon started strong but lost the first set as Changki’s Takoyapang, Imtiyatet, and Mangkosang combined effectively. Spadroon bounced back through Tenzuk’s playmaking and Akum’s blocking to level the match. In the decider, Changki held their nerve to seal victory.
Semi-Final 1: MH-10 Kohima vs Spadroon Club Chungtia
MH-10 Kohima defeated Spadroon Club Chungtia 3–1 (24/26, 32/30, 25/15, 25/18) to reach the finals. Spadroon took the opening set after MH-10 captain Tongpangsunep suffered an early ankle sprain. However, his return in the second set restored rhythm as MH-10 edged a tense 32/30 win. With momentum shifting, MH-10 controlled the third and fourth sets through strong coordination and consistent finishing from Reshitemjen, Watinuken, and Imlichuba. Despite Spadroon’s efforts led by Tenzuk and Toshienba, MH-10’s discipline and balance proved decisive.
Semi-Final 2: Evergreen Club Ungma vs United Changki
Evergreen Club Ungma advanced to the finals with a 3–1 win (25/8, 22/25, 25/15, 25/22) over United Changki. Evergreen dominated the first set through Mesu and Bendang’s attacking form, supported by libero Sentiakum’s defense. Changki responded in the second, led by Takoyapang, Mangkosang, and Imtiyatet, to level the score. Evergreen regained control in the third and fourth sets with sharp execution from Mesu, Lima, and Wonglom.
