Casiey Dongallo may be a rookie for University of the East in the upcoming UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, but she already feels at home.
This is because, when she committed to the Lady Warriors program – now supported by the Strong Group Athletics – she was joined by three teammates from her high school.
Along with Dongallo, California Academy standouts Jelai Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga, and Grace Fernandez also joined UE.
More importantly, their coach Obet Vital was also tapped to be an assistant coach for the struggling program.
They will make their debut this season except for Gajero, who injured her ACL in the left knee during the offseason.
The Lady Warriors will be led by coach Jerry Yee, who previously coached the four players in high school.
“In terms of adjustment po, siguro hindi ako nahirapan kasi syempre yung program and system naman ngayong college is the same pa rin nung program namin nung high school siguro pina-improve lang,” said Dongallo.
“Yung pinagkaiba lang po siguro ay yung teammates ko ngayong college, ang maitutulong ko po sa kanila ay yung chemistry namin ni Kizzie na kailangan namin sila i-lead para maging maayos yung communication namin sa loob ng court,” she added as she looks to continue their on-court chemistry with setter Madriaga at the collegiate level.
Dongallo, an 18-year-old standout from Cebu, will aim for UE’s improvement right away in her first year. The Lady Warriors are coming off back-to-back one-win seasons, staying at the bottom of the league.
“We know naman po kung nasaan ang UE last season, yung goal ko po as a rookie gusto ko po maangatan yung place nila last year,” said the fearless rookie.
Even with her stature as a prized rookie, having been a successful high school player, Dongallo admitted that she’s already feeling nervous with the tournament set to begin this weekend.
Thanks to her seniors, though, she is learning to turn the nerves and jitters into motivation to perform better in her rookie season in the country’s premier collegiate league.
“Lagi kong sinasabi sa mga ate ko na the more na palapit na yung game, parang kinakabahan ako. Pero sabi nila yung kaba ko kailangan i-turn as motivation or kailangan i-embrace yun. Kasi the more na kinakabahan ako, parang papangit yung laro ko, so hindi ko dapat hayaan na kainin yung kaba ko.”
