Excellent sets is a completely subjective stat in volleyball.
For a set to be “excellent”, it doesn’t matter if the spiker scores off the toss. It only matters if the statistician believes the setter fooled her opponents’ blocker enough to create a seam.
Wins, on the other hand, aren’t subjective.
Which is why Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles setter Deanna Wong never looks at the stats sheet to see how many excellent sets she earned.
Even if she tossed a career-high 63 excellent sets and powered the Lady Eagles to their eighth win on Sunday evening, the Cebuana was dismissive of her monumental outing.
“Actually, I really don’t notice it. ‘Di ko napapansin or I really don’t mind,” Wong confessed. “All I have in my head is how I’m gonna chase the ball kahit mis-receive. It’s a good thing, but it’s better if we win.
“Kahit anong number pa ‘yan, it doesn’t matter if we lose.”
Wong has been incredibly efficient in her first year as Ateneo’s main playmaker. She leads the league in setting, and her stability showed in Ateneo’s comeback against the Adamson University Lady Falcons.
The third year setter said that their composure derives from their “Heartstrong” culture.
“It really boils down to character and what coach Tai always says, ‘Heartstrong.’ We trusted our teammates lang and we encouraged each other back,” pointed out the 19-year old Atenean.
“I think every team knows our weaknesses: receive and coverage. But, we make the most out of it, kakayanin talaga. For me, hahabulin ko talaga kung anong kaya kong habulin para mapalo ng spikers ko,” the product of University of San Jose-Recoletos added.
“It’s a sacrifice talaga.”
