David Lee leads Bengaluru Torpedoes to PVL 2025 victory

Former USA Olympic gold medalist David Lee has led the Bengaluru Torpedoes to victory in the 2025 Prime Volleyball League (PVL), showcasing his deep understanding of Indian volleyball’s evolving landscape. Having played and coached in India for six years, Lee credits the rise of young talent for the sport’s positive momentum.

“The younger generation is making a bigger impact at an earlier age,” Lee said, praising the fresh energy replacing veteran players who once dominated the scene. Despite India’s limited international success — including no Olympic qualifications and few Asian medals since the 1980s — the national team has recently shown promise, finishing with a silver at this year’s CAVA Nations League.

Lee pointed out that while Indian players excel in powerful offensive skills like spiking and blocking, the sport’s main challenge remains in defense and ball control. “Countries like Japan, Korea, and China prioritize passing and defense, which is where India needs to improve,” he explained.

The sport’s progress has been hindered by political instability within the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI), which faced multiple suspensions over recent years. The PVL, now operating independently from the federation, has expanded to 10 teams and completed four successful seasons.

Lee advocates for a longer PVL season and extended national team training camps to build consistency and international experience, which he believes are essential for Indian volleyball to compete at higher levels.