UAAP: Lady Spikers off to 2-1 start, Green Spikers struggle

The opening of the UAAP Season 77 Beach Volleyball tournament was bittersweet for the DLSU Spikers as both squads had contrasting experiences in the tourney’s opening weekend held last August 23 and 24 at the UE Caloocan Sand Court.

Green Spikers struggle

On opening day last August 23, the Green Spikers bannered by Mike Frey, Kevin Dimayuga and Jopet Movido suffered an early loss against the ADMU Blue Eagles, 21-14, 21-18. What started out as a close first set, ended with the Blue Eagles taking charge with a seven-point lead at the end of the first set over the Green Spikers due to their relentless attacks. This trend continued towards the second set where the Green Spikers continued to struggle to defend and receive the barrage of attacks being thrown at them by the Blue Eagles. In spite of their effort to cut the lead towards the latter part of the set, it simply wasn’t enough to catch the Blue Eagles, who ended up winning the set and the match over the Green Spikers.

In the second day of the games, they lost once again at the expense of the FEU Tamaraws, 21-12, 21-10. The two teams played a close match to start off the first set but with a series of good and smart attacks from the FEU side, they were able to pull away a comfortable lead, 19-11 before taking the set, 21-12. It was a similar story in the second set as FEU had a 9-2 run to take the lead. The Green Spikers were not able to execute good offense as most of their attacks went wide. Back-to-back errors from Dimayuga and Frey caused FEU to win the second set and match, 21-10.

The errors committed by the Green Spikers combined with the solid blocks and well-placed attacks by the UP Fighting Maroons led to a two-set loss for DLSU in their third game, 21-14, 21-19. They had a close match at the beginning of the first set. However, DLSU incurred a series of errors that gave UP a big lead. The Green Spikers tried to close the gap but the attacks made by UP prevented them to do so. The same sequence occurred in the second set but instead of letting UP.

Lady Spikers off to 2-1 start

The Lady Spikers, who were represented by Kim Fajardo, Cyd Demecillo and Ara Galang, didn’t have a good start as well as they also dropped their first game of the season at the hands of the UST Tigresses, 21-18, 21-13. After a grueling contest between the two teams in the first set, the Tigresses ended up taking the first set over the Lady Spikers due to the number of errors committed by the latter. They continued to struggle towards the second set which allowed the Tigresses to break away with an eight-point victory over them.

However, the Lady Spikers easily made up for the defeat in the second day when they won against the defending champions AdU Lady Falcons in straight sets, 21-19, 21-17. In the first set, both squads displayed solid offense and coverage that tied the game at 19-all. Demecillo made a down the line hit to put La Salle at set point. Fajardo’s service ace in the following play sealed the first set in favor the Lady Spikers, 21-19.

In the second set, more smart and consistent plays came from the La Salle side that gave them an 18-15 advantage. Fajardo hit the last shot just right at the back corner that handed the Lady Spikers’ first win of the season, 21-17.

They extended their win streak in their third game as they won against UP in straight sets, both with scores of 21-17.  Similar to their performance in their game against AdU, Fajardo and Demecillo showcased their smart attacks and coordinated plays that gave UP a hard time as they rallied it out. A well-placed drop shot by Demecillo ended the match.

Up next for the Green Spikers are the AdU Soaring Falcons and the UST Growling Tigers. Meanwhile, the next assignment of the Lady Spikers are the NU Lady Bulldogs. All three matchups will be held on Wednesday, August 27 at the UE Caloocan sand court.