UAAP: Lady Spikers extend winning run at the expense of Ateneo

The DLSU Lady Spikers stunned their archrivals, the ADMU Lady Eagles, in straight sets, 25-16, 25-20, 25-16, to remain undefeated in the elimination round of the UAAP Season 76 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.

The towering Mika Reyes led all La Salle scorers with 13 points from seven attacks and six blocks. Reigning UAAP co-MVP Ara Galang also chipped in an additional ten markers to help the Taft-based squad seal the deal against Ateneo.

With the win, the ladies from Taft move comfortably ahead of the UAAP 76 standings, staying on top with an unscathed record of six wins and zero losses, with Ateneo finishing the first round with a 5-2 win-loss slate. .

A slow start

Although the Lady Eagles took an early lead in the opening set, the Green-and-White managed to climb back midway after Abi Marano took her turn on the service line. The Lady Spikers cruised towards a comfortable seven point lead and never looked back from that point, concluding the set at a margin of 25-16.

The second set provided spectators with a plot similar to the first set, but La Salle slowly cut down on service errors and failed receptions. The tight second set ended with a score of 25-20 in favor of the Lady Spikers. Ateneo’s main spiker Alyssa Valdez paced the Katipunan-based squad with 11 markers which were mostly scored in the second set.

Comfortable end

It was a tightly contested third set as the Blue-and-White put up a valiant fight early as they matched the Lady Spikers and the score was tied at eight points apiece. With Lady Eagles Mary Tajima and Rongomaipapa Ahomiro forming reliable scoring patterns alongside Valdez, the third set began as a see-saw battle between both squads.

DLSU head coach Ramil de Jesus called a timeout and his squad responded with seven straight points to take control and from that point on, a steady attack from Marano, Reyes and Demecillo seized control for the Lady Spikers as they cruised to a 25-16 final set victory.

Continuing dominance

The Lady Spikers’ next game will be against the UE Lady Spikers on Wednesday, January 15, at the San Juan Arena. The team looks to close out the first round of the season unbeaten.The dominant Lady Spikers are currently on a 22-game winning run and have yet to concede a set to an opponent this season.