Published: August 16, 2026 at 8:16 pm
Hyderabad Black Hawks Under-21 team scored a 3-1 win over hosts Goa in the final to be crowned champions of the Guardians Trophy in Goa on Sunday. Hyderabad Black Hawks emerged triumphant from a highly competitive tournament featuring 10 franchise teams of Prime Volleyball League (PVL).
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Black Hawks produced an impressive campaign, culminating in a commanding 3-1 victory over hosts Goa in the final on Sunday. The Black Hawks won the championship match 15-7, 11-15, 16-14, 15-8 to lift the coveted Guardians Trophy.
Black Hawks beat Ahmedabad in semis
The champions had earlier booked their place in the final with a convincing 3-0 straight-sets victory over Ahmedabad in the semifinals. Hyderabad secured the semifinal win 16-14, 15-9, 16-14.
In the final Sarthak Singh delivered a standout performance and was named Player of the Match for his contribution to the championship-winning effort. Sarthak’s impact extended throughout the tournament, earning him two major individual honours – Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Attacker.
Hyderabad Black Hawks spike past Bengaluru 3-0 in U-21 Guardians Trophy opening match
The Black Hawks’ strong showing was further recognised with Sarthak Singh Jadon and Deepak being selected in the Guardians Trophy All-Stars Team, placing two Hyderabad players among the standout performers of the tournament.
From Vijayawada trials to podium in 11 days
The championship journey began just 11 days earlier in Vijayawada. On August 6, 2026, aspiring 105 young volleyball players from across India gathered at VR Siddhartha University, Vijayawada, for the Hyderabad Black Hawks Under-21 Selection Trials. The trials provided a platform for young athletes to showcase their talent and compete for an opportunity to represent the Black Hawks.
At the end of an intensive day of selection, 12 players were shortlisted for the Under-21 squad, including four players from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Telugu players Karthik from Guntur, Dheeman from Visakhapatnam, Srunik from Peddapalli and Akshith from Warangal have earned a place in the Black Hawks squad.
The newly assembled squad then underwent an intensive training camp in Vijayawada through August 12. With players coming together from different parts of the country and having had little or no previous experience playing as a unit, the camp focused on developing team chemistry, tactical understanding and match readiness.
Just two days later, on August 14, the team travelled to Goa to compete in the Guardians Trophy. Drawn in Group A alongside Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai and Goa, the Black Hawks quickly established themselves as serious contenders. The team progressed through the group stage, advanced to the semifinals and then secured its place in the final before completing its remarkable run with a championship victory over the hosts.
Pathway for AP & Telangana spikers
The Guardians Trophy triumph in Goa represents more than a tournament victory for the Hyderabad Black Hawks team. It is a testament to the club’s commitment to identifying and developing young volleyball talent particularly from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In just 11 days, a group of players who had never previously played together transformed into a cohesive championship-winning team.
Their journey from selection trials in Vijayawada to lifting the trophy in Goa demonstrates what can be achieved when emerging talent is provided with the right platform, professional coaching and a genuine pathway to competitive volleyball.
The Black Hawks’ success also reinforces their vision of discovering talent from every corner of the Telugu states to giving young athletes the opportunity to realise their potential at the highest level.
The Guardians Trophy victory marks an important milestone in the development of the Hyderabad Black Hawks’ Under-21 programme and provides a strong foundation for the next generation of Indian volleyball talent.
