One of the crucial parts of an athlete’s learning curve is the adjustment process from their transition from high school to college. Usually, top-tier high school athletes take some time to acclimate themselves to the quicker pace of playing in the collegiate level.
The same scenario can also be said for National University’s rookie setter, Rica Diolan. In the ongoing Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference, she is putting up norms of 4.39 assists per set and she is also consistently part of her team’s starting six.
But more than the results produced from the numbers, NU head coach Roger Gorayeb told reporters that the rookie setter must quickly get her feet wet in the collegiate volleyball scene. In short spurts, Diolan already flashed some of her setting prowess for the Lady Bulldogs, but there are also some instances wherein she settles back to her high school style of play.
“Kasi nakikita niyo kanina, ilan ang bola ang hindi niya hinahabol. Ang period of adjustment ni Rica tumatagal. Sanay siya na puro open kapag nagseset siya,” shared Gorayeb after their straight sets win against the CSB Blazers earlier. “Sana maka-adjust agad si Rica sa laro ng collegiate. Ang exposure naman ibinibigay namin sa kanya. It’s still a long way to go at napakaimportante ang role niya as setter talaga.”
In a team loaded with talented hitters like Myla Pablo, Aiko Urdas, Jorelle Singh, Jaja Santiago and guest player Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Diolan’s impact as the team’s alpha setter will surely be a big factor in making these Lady Bulldogs more lethal. Usually, a team with a good setter makes its attackers even better which will often translate to more wins.
“Kahit gaano kagaling ang team, kung hindi magaling ang setter, wala. Kahit anong hina ng team, basta magaling ang setter, lalakas ang spikers. Ang mataas kong expectation sa kanya is iyong adjustment niya. Pero sa laro, okay naman siya,” Gorayeb added.
“Ang adjustment lang na masanay siya sa larong collegiate na mas matulin, iyon ang ineexpect ko na makaadjust siya agad sa sistema na iyon. Overall naman, ok naman si Rica. Too short a time para makuha niya kaya lagi ko siyang pinapasok sa first six. Kailangan matuto na siya.”
