Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

JRU

Dolly Versoza comes of age as she becomes JRU’s captain


With a breakthrough win well within sight for Jose Rizal University late in its curtain-raiser against San Sebastian on Thursday, Dolly Versoza detonated a bomb from the left wing to give her side a crucial 10-7 edge in the fifth set.

Moments after that, a woman bellowed from the stands, shouting: “Lima na lang, Dolly!” And in response, Versoza looked towards the crowd and smiled.

It was clear.

Versoza is well aware of the huge responsibility she has to shoulder as a third-year spiker and Management major for a team built on rookies and sophomores.

Though the 21-year-old might not have scored five times in a row late in the match, she delivered the crucial plays, including the match-clinching blow. And that conscious effort to take charge when it matters most is something that she’s now more than willing to embrace.

NCAA-Season-95-womens-volleyball-jru-def-sscr-dolly-versoza Dolly Versoza comes of age as she becomes JRU's captain JRU NCAA News Volleyball  - philippine sports news

“Ngayon is parang bata pa ‘yung teammates ko, kaya kailangan ko mag-step up as a captain para maging matured pa ako. Kasi last year parang may captain [kami], kaya parang hindi pa ako nagco-commit,” the full-fledged captain of the Lady Bombers revealed in the post-game interview following their escape act against the Lady Stags.

Ngayon, naging matured ako bigla kasi ‘yung mga teammates ko mga freshmen.”

Entering this season, JRU lost significant firepower with Karen Montojo and Mary Grace Rivera’s exit from the collegiate scene. Not to mention the fact that Season 93 MVP Shola Alvarez has long since left the Maria Tioseco-mentored squad.

Given this, Versoza has become the team’s focal point on offense. And most importantly, the major source of leadership.

#ReadMore  Veterans lead JRU's 29-point whitewashing of Mila's in Gio Lasquety's debut

“Sabi ko lang sa kanila na, ‘Gusto niyo bang manalo?’ Kasi ‘yun palagi ang sinasabi ni coach na ‘yung matitira lang naman dito ay ‘yung gustong manalo,” she recalled.

“’Yun na-motivate sila lalo na kailangan namin ito. Kailangan naming manalo.”

But besides the motivation she’s capable of providing, Versoza also proved that she can lead her relatively young team by example. Her all-around brilliance that produced a game-high 21 markers built on 16 attacks and three services, to go along with 20 excellent digs was solid proof.

With the season well underway, do expect Versoza to be the leading light for her sisters-in-arms in a bid to propel JRU back to title contention.

Written By


You May Also Like

News

Creamline made quick work of Strong Group, 25-13, 25-13, 25-19, to take the solo lead in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Tuesday...

News

Capital1 earned the franchise’s first-ever win in the Premier Volleyball League, trouncing fellow newcomer Strong Group in four sets, 25-18, 25-20, 19-25, 25-20 on...

News

Chery Tiggo zoomed to its second win after dismantling Strong Group in straight sets, 25-12, 25-17, 25-19, for the early lead in the 2024...

News

Petro Gazz showcased its deep lineup to open the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference with a 25-12, 25-20, 25-12 win over newcomer Strong...

News

Former Adamson University coach Onyok Getigan is set to call the shots for the newly-formed Strong Group Athletics side in their maiden foray in...

Uncategorized

Thirty-six collegiate, club, and local government unit (LGU)-based teams will clash as the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) launches the Challenge Cup, starting on...

ADMU

Inaugural Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals champion De La Salle University and the rebuilding University of the Philippines will not participate in the...

AU

University of Perpetual Help System DALTA continued its dominance and is now the only unbeaten team in the NCAA Season 98 Women’s Beach Volleyball...

Advertisement