Panaji: Hosts Goa Guardians went through the tournament without a defeat, until they found their match in the final. It were Hyderabad Black Hawks who had the last laugh, scripting a 15-7, 11-15, 16-14, 15-8 win to claim the inaugural Guardians Trophy 2026 at Don Bosco Oratory, Panaji, on Sunday.In the final, Hyderabad made the stronger start, taking the opening set 15-7. Backed by the home crowd, Goa responded in the second, winning 15-11 to level scores and keep their hopes of lifting the trophy on home soil alive.The third set proved decisive. With little separating the two teams, Hyderabad edged the set 16-14 to move within one set of the championship. The Black Hawks then took control of the fourth, winning 15-8 to complete a 3-1 victory and become the first-ever champions of the Guardians Trophy.The victory brought curtains on three days of U-21 volleyball in Goa, with the youth squads of all 10 Prime Volleyball League franchises competing on one platform.Goa had to dig deep in their semifinal, overcoming Mumbai Meteors Youth 3-2 in a five-set battle. In the second semifinal, Hyderabad produced a commanding performance against Ahmedabad Defenders, winning in straight sets.Individual awards: MVP of the tournament: Sarthak (Hyderabad), best server: Sarthak (Hyderabad), best opposite: Sarthak (Hyderabad), best attacker: Deepak (Hyderabad), best blocker: Suraj (Goa), best setter: Arjun (Goa), best libero: Yogesh (Goa).
