By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Different season, the same dominant result.
The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs hardly broke a sweat against the Ateneo Blue Eagles after sweeping them, 25-15, 25-20, 25-16, in the opening match of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament last February 25, 2023, held at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Fresh from a magical title-clinching 16-0 campaign last season, the defending champions picked up where they left off and displayed another offensive clinic against the Blue Eagles.
NU’s balanced attack proved to be too much for Ateneo led by Alyssa Solomon who scored a team-high 12 points built from 10 successful attacks alongside a block and one service ace.
The Lady Bulldogs immediately set up the reigning Best Opposite Spiker of the UAAP and paid off dividends after kick-starting NU’s well-oiled offensive barrage.
Aside from Solomon’s scoring display, former national team spiker and Season 84’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Bella Belen also did her share of attacking the ball after tallying eight points and two service aces.
Despite Ateneo’s huge response in the second set courtesy of their improved quick 1-2 attacks involving their middle blockers, the Lady Bulldogs still managed to hold their ground and earn a 2-0 advantage.
Ilongga Princess Robles also showed out for the Lady Bulldogs after contributing 11 markers built from 10 successful attacks.
Lams Lamina, last season’s winner of the Best Setter award, ran the Lady Bulldogs’ offense to perfection after dishing out 17 excellent sets in the blowout win.
Meanwhile, none of the Blue Eagles spikers reached double digits in the scoring department and was led by AC Miner who delivered nine points.
“This is a fresh start for us. Our mindset is the same from the start of last season to the time we became champions, and that is to just keep improving as a team,” said NU head coach Karl Dimaculangan.
