Set, Spike, Win

A Ranking of the Corporate Volleyball Contenders at the Myra Sports GOATs#8 Winter Corporate Sports Fest 2025.

By- Radha Krishna Chitikela

TEAM #5

CGI may have finished 5th in the tournament, but don’t let that fool you—this team is full of potential. Despite their placement, they displayed plenty of grit, determination, and a lot of promise. Their talent shone through, especially from key players like Suresh, Tarun, and Sai, and with a little more polish, they’re a team that could easily rise in future seasons.

A standout moment came in their match against Oracle, where they made an impressive comeback. After losing the first set, CGI came roaring back in the second with a dominant 25-17 win, pushing the game to a decider. That victory spoke volumes about their resilience and showed they could compete with some of the best. They eventually won the match 2-1, proving they had the heart to turn things around when it mattered most.

That said, consistency was the missing ingredient. Against TCS and Infosys, CGI showed flashes of quality but struggled to keep pace with the top teams. Their energy was there, but the top-tier players on the other side proved hard to handle once the intensity ramped up. Similarly, in their final game against D.E. Shaw, after taking the first set, they couldn’t finish it off, eventually letting the game slip away. It was a case of strong starts followed by unforced errors and fatigue creeping in.

But here’s the thing—CGI’s journey this season is just the beginning. The foundation is solid, and with their fighting spirit and strong performances from their stars, the future looks bright. They’ve got the talent to go further, and with a bit more consistency and team cohesion, we could see them making a serious push next season. CGI’s best is yet to come, and we’re excited to watch them grow and bring even more energy to the court next time!

TEAM #4

D.E. Shaw’s team may not have appeared to be seasoned volleyballers at first glance, and that’s perfectly understandable given this is a corporate tournament where not every team is competition-ready. But as the tournament progressed, they truly grew into their roles, with spirited performances and energetic team play. Their ability to back each other up and develop confidence as the games went on impressed many, and their fight and grit earned them a loyal following. Their journey was a testament to how quickly a team can come together, and their progress was something the neutral supporters couldn’t help but admire.

D.E. Shaw started the tournament with tough 2-0 losses to TCS and Infosys, but they showed impressive resilience. In 2 of their 4 sets against the finalists, they pushed hard and managed to score 20-25 in each, demonstrating they were no pushovers. Despite the losses, it was clear that D.E. Shaw had plenty of heart, and their performance against these top teams showed they could compete at a high level. In their third game against Oracle, they bounced back after losing the first set to win the second 25-23 and take it to a decider. They capped off their campaign with a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over CGI, securing a well-deserved 4th place. Their progression throughout the tournament was nothing short of impressive.

Performances from Lokesh, Naresh, Dhananjay, and Anil were key to D. E. Shaw's success, with their contributions being recognized through Player of the Match and Star Performer awards. Naresh and Anil, in particular, were exceptional at the net, delivering gritty performances that kept D.E. Shaw in the game at critical moments. Meanwhile, Lokesh, Dhananjay, and Amit played pivotal roles in defense and attack in tandem, diving for every ball and setting up some of the team’s best rallies. Their combined efforts truly showcased the heart and determination of the team.

D.E. Shaw has shown they’ve got what it takes, and with more time on the court together, they’ll only improve. We look forward to seeing their growth and can't wait to see them back next season.

TEAM #3

Oracle came into the tournament as the runners-up from the previous season, and while they were the oldest team in the competition, they proved their worth as one of the top contenders. Despite facing challenges in physicality and agility compared to some of the younger teams, they still ended up as the third-best team for a reason. Oracle never gave up, fighting tooth and nail in every set, even though things didn’t unfold as they had hoped this season.

Their journey started with a tough loss to eventual champions TCS. They lost their first set by just 4 points, pushing TCS to the limit before eventually falling 16-25 in the second set. In their next game against CGI, they won the first set but lost the next two due to small mistakes and fatigue. However, Oracle bounced back in their next match, beating D.E. Shaw 2-1, but they couldn’t quite finish strong in their final game, losing to the runner-ups, Infosys. While Oracle always started strong, their performance tended to dip as the game went on. As a team aspiring for trophies, they will certainly take note of these areas and look to address them for the next season.

Individually, Oracle had standout performances throughout the tournament. Shyam, #9, was exceptional, consistently scoring points with powerful spikes and well-timed drop shots. Ranjith was one of the MVPs of the tournament, showing incredible agility and intelligence at the net. Captain Balakrishna, true to his reputation, worked hard to keep his team motivated and lift their spirits. The rest of the team played a vital role in keeping Oracle competitive, pushing until the final whistle.

While the results may not have been as hoped for this season, Oracle’s resilience and determination were evident in every match. With some fine-tuning and adjustments, expect Oracle to come back even stronger next season. Oracle, the company also deserves special thanks for sending teams across multiple sports at the Myra Sports GOATs Winter Corporate Sports Fest 2025. This reflects their strong commitment to work-life balance and employee well-being. A big shout-out to sports coordinator Balakrishna for his relentless efforts in making this happen.

TEAM #2 runners up

Infosys didn’t look like anything less than the best team in the tournament until the last set of the final game. They won the first set of the final decider game and were just one set away from claiming the championship. It was the thinnest of margins that separated them from TCS, and it wasn’t until days later that you could really start to figure out what it was. Maybe it was the nerves of the final, the constant pressure from TCS’s attackers, or perhaps it was the overwhelming support TCS got from the crowd. But believe me, it was only the tiniest of margins that stood between these two champion teams.

Infosys had the best player of the tournament in their squad—#11 Hemanth. His court-shattering smashes and thunderous serves struck terror into opponents, while neutral fans were left in awe. But Hemanth wasn’t the only weapon in this team’s arsenal. Sudhakar, the composed yet deadly captain, was a constant presence at the net with his superb spiking and leadership. #6 Hemanth always stepped up when his team needed him, delivering intelligent plays at the net. Durga, the masterful setter, kept things running smoothly, while Nagendra, the libero, anchored the defense. And we can't forget Ajay, Murthy, Srinivas, and Chandu, who all played their parts to perfection.

Infosys breezed through their first three games, only facing minor resistance here and there. Sudhakar, Nagendra, and both Hemanths were standout performers, earning Player of the Match and Star Performer awards along the way. As one of the only two teams to make it to the final without losing a set, they came into the decider full of confidence and took the first set 25-22. But, despite narrowly losing the second set, they gave it everything they had in the third. Their heart, skill, and experience were on full display, but in the end, TCS came out on top.

But, as I mentioned, this season’s Infosys team will be etched in all of our memories as the champion team with a level of composure that many will envy. A team that refused to bow down, no matter how fierce the battle is, giving it their all—every point, every set, every game—all day long. Congratulations on being the runner-ups of the tournament, and thank you for delivering a memorable campaign for all the volleyball lovers. We look forward to another majestic display of sportsmanship and skill—until next time.

TEAM #1 the champions

TCS has undoubtedly one of the best corporate volleyball teams in Hyderabad, and they proved it throughout this tournament. This is a team that doesn’t just rely on individual brilliance—they are a perfect example of how a world-class team is made up of world-class players. At the net, their relentless, coordinated attacks led by Varun, Venky, Vijay, and Dileep were a constant threat. Meanwhile, their defense, anchored by Sai, Srikanth, and Manikanta, was rock solid, making it nearly impossible for opponents to break through. Supporting them were Manohar, Nirmal, and others, who kept everything running smoothly, ensuring TCS remained a well-oiled machine.

They didn’t drop a single set until the final game, finishing 3 out of their 4 matches in straight sets. TCS kicked off their campaign with a convincing 2-0 win over last season’s runner-up, Oracle, thanks to a standout Player of the Match performance by Venky, who dominated the net with powerful spiking. Venky’s all-around excellence was a huge factor throughout the tournament, earning him the All-rounder of the Tournament award. TCS followed up with commanding 2-0 victories over DE Shaw and CGI, with big contributions from Varun, Dileep, and Vijay, setting the stage for an exciting final showdown against Infosys.

The final game was a battle of titans and a game everyone will remember for a very long time. Every point was fought for with venomous spikes and heartfelt defending. TCS finally met their match and succumbed to the pressure, losing the first set. But what a comeback it was! TCS won the last two sets straight to win the championship, thanks to a team play that will be remembered for years.

And let’s not forget the incredible support from TCS’s loyal fans, whose energy made the atmosphere at the court electric and the day extra memorable. Congratulations to TCS on an exceptional campaign, and we’re all excited to see them defend their title in next season’s tournament!