The National University Lady Bulldogs have battled through misfortunes for much of the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball Tournament. From losing veterans before the season to losing their only setter in their first game, the Lady Bulldogs have had to be resilient.
However, the young Lady Bulldogs have not been as encouraging to watch to start the second round, surrendering back-to-back losses to the University of the East and De La Salle University.
First-year Lady Bulldogs head coach Norman Miguel admits that it might be fatigue that plagues his team. The Lady Bulldogs have thrived on a two-man reception pattern, with libero Jennifer Nierva and open hitter Princess Robles fielding most serves. The pair have coped; Nierva is second in the league in reception efficiency at 53.61-percent, while Robles is at seventh at 38.93-percent.
But the strategy might have gone stale, and the Lady Bulldogs now need to adjust.
“Dalawang magkasunod na. ‘Pag nage-ensayo naman kami, maganda ‘yung result, so ine-expect namin na it will show sa game,” Miguel admitted.
“I think nagka-problema kami sa passing namin. ‘Yung two-man namin, hindi siya sustainable. Kung naging magical siya during the first round, nakikita na siya ngayon ng kalaban. It was designed to be three-man passing, pero kasi nakita namin noong first round na kaya ni Jen and Princess,” the former DLSU Green Spikers mentor added.
“Ngayon siguro kitang-kita na ng kalaban kaya ‘di na nagiging effective. Ganoon ka-simple lang pinag-usapan namin. Sa passing na-define ‘yung pagkatalo namin.”
The grind of the season has also been a huge challenge for the rookie-laden team.
“Pagod talaga kasi may mga pain din na nararamdaman ‘yan. ‘Yung intensity kasi ng training, tumataas din so ‘di maiiwasan na may nararamdaman. ‘Yung recovery namin doon naka-dedicate ‘yung time namin,” shared Miguel.
At 2-7, making the Final Four is a long shot for the Lady Bulldogs. For now, given their relative youth, NU simply want to keep earning respect.
“Sa amin naman, gusto namin makapasok ng Final Four. Pero kung ganito talaga ‘yung result ng games namin, ‘pag nag-increase ‘yung wins namin, maganda,” he disclosed.
“Kung hindi man, magkaroon lang kami ng magandang performance to earn respect ng volleyball community, considering na young team kami talaga.”
