The UP Women’s Volleyball Team (UPWVT) picked its second consecutive victory at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Feb. 19 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The UPWVT defeated the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws in four sets, 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23.
After a setback in the first set, the UP Fighting Maroons outplayed the Lady Tamaraws in the second frame to level the match at one set apiece.
The UPWVT continued its superb performance, especially on the net defense, and was in full control of the third set. The UP Fighting Maroons cruised to the second technical timeout with a 16-7 lead. The FEU tried to come back, but their efforts fell short, as the UP Fighting Maroons clinched the third set to establish a 2-1 set lead.
The Lady Tamaraws then started strong in the fourth set and was poised to extend the match into a decider. Trailing by seven points, 7-14, the UP Fighting Maroons slowly and methodically erased the Lady Tamaraws advantage and eventually took the upper hand, 23-21. The UP team’s sterling performance was led by Joanne Monares, Kianne Olango, and Kassandra Doering,
The UPWVT then got the match point via a solid net defense by Olango against FEU’s Chenie Tagaod attack. However, the UP Fighting Maroons’ error in the next rally gave the Lady Tamaraws a window of opportunity for an extended set. Niña Ytang, though, scored on a drop ball in the subsequent play to take the fight out of the Lady Tamaraws and secure UPWVT’s second win.
It was a total team effort for the UPWVT, with four UP Fighting Maroons scoring in double digits. Monares led with 19 points, while Olango, who was named best player of the game, contributed 17 points coming from 13 attacks, three blocks, and a service ace. Ytang also had a superb game tallying 15 points built from nine attacks, four blocks, and two aces while Irah Jaboneta chipped in 11 points.
UPWVT’s next game is against the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles on Feb. 23, 2 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.
