Harlyn Serneche’s past year has been nothing short of hectic.
After helping the National University Nazareth School defend its title in the UAAP, the opposite hitter received a call-up to join the Alas Girls U-18 national team.
Adding to her responsibilities, the 17-year-old from Mariveles, Bataan, was named the captain of the Lady Bullpups.
“Para sa ‘kin po na binigay po sa ‘kin ng mga coaches ‘yung pagiging captain po, siyempre po na-feel ko ‘yung pressure po. Kasi hindi lang basta-basta po school ‘yung dala-dala naming lahat kung ‘di buong Pilipinas na po,” shared Serneche.
The challenges of international competition broadened her perspective.
“Na-experience po namin do’n na talagang iba ‘yung technology ng mga kalaban po namin. ‘Yung mga skills po nila, sobrang layo po sa Pilipinas na ginagawa nating volleyball. So ‘yung mga learnings po namin dinadala po namin rito para may matutunan rin po ‘yung mga nanonood,” she added.
Now back with NUNS, Serneche carries the lessons learned from her stint with the national team.
In UAAP Season 86, she steps into the shoes of the previous captain and UAAP Season 85 MVP, Kianne Olango.
Though inheriting the leadership role comes with challenges, Serneche remains determined to guide the squad to success.
“Ngayon po, siyempre po gusto po naming mabalik ‘yung korona sa ‘min. So, talagang nakaka-pressure po, pero gusto ko rin po naming ipakita sa mga nanonood na kaya po naming ilaban hanggang dulo,” the 5-foot-9 opposite shared, expressing her eagerness to reclaim the title.
With her international experience as team captain, Serneche hopes to bring newfound confidence and composure to the Lady Bullpups’ redemption campaign.
She emphasized the importance of both mental and emotional resilience, saying, “Yung pagiging matatag po sa laro pati na rin po sa labas ng court. Yung sa loob po, kyung paano mo dadalhin ‘yung team mo, and ‘yung sa labas, ‘yung presence mo na i-cheer mo sila kahit mula sa labas.”
The journey to reclaim the title may be an uphill climb for the team, especially after losing key players like Olango, two-time Best Outside Hitter Celine Marsh, and UAAP Season 86 Best Middle Blocker Bienne Bansil.
Yet, Serneche believes that overcoming these obstacles will require collective effort and perseverance.
“Marami nga po kaming ates na nawala, so nahihirapan din po kami sa training namin kung paano namin i-co-cope ‘yung sa team namin. Pero tina-try naman po namin po ‘yung best namin sa training na kailangan po talaga hindi lang po siguro 100 percent, kung kaya po namin ng 170 percent para nabubuhos po namin yung lakas na hanggang kaya namin,” she concluded.
With reports from Justine Anne Gaerlan
