One of the driving forces behind the Philips Gold Lady Slammers’ third place finish during the 2015 Philippine Superliga (PSL) All-Filipino Conference was the stellar play of ace setter and top overall pick Iris Tolenada. The 2015 All-Filipino Conference Best Setter led the league in the excellent sets category by posting norms of 7.10 assists per set.
However, Tolenada will not suit up for Philips Gold in their PSL Grand Prix campaign this coming October 10 due to family reasons as she wants to spend more time with her family abroad.
To fill in the void left by Tolenada, the Lady Slammers once again struck gold by acquiring the services of NCAA Division I setter Lindsay Dowd from the University of California, Davis.
“I was excited! I have only heard great things from players who have competed in the Philippines,” Dowd shared in an exclusive interview with Tiebreaker Times. “I am also half Filipino, so I’m super excited for the opportunity to play in my homeland!”
Shedding some info on the Lady Slammers’ latest gem, the 5-foot-9 Filipino-American setter saw action in NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013. She had career averages of 0.21 kills, 3.03 assists, 0.10 service aces, 0.66 digs and 0.66 blocks per set.
Lindsay Dowd, UCD vs. Fresno State
Furthermore, Dowd had her best playing year for UC Davis during their 2012 campaign. During that span of time, she hit career highs in virtually every category and at the same time thrived in her team’s 6-2 system. She appeared in 28 matches and played a total of 73 sets and for that season, she chalked up norms 0.26 kills, 3.77 assists, and 0.88 digs per set.
After graduating from college, Dowd entered professional volleyball and played a year for VBC Fribourg in Switzerland. With her volleyball stints, she gained the necessary experience which helped her grow as a player and thrive in any competitive environment.
Lindsay Dowd highlights from her stint with VBC Fribourg
“Playing Division I collegiate volleyball and having a pro season under my belt in Switzerland are both invaluable experiences that have helped me grow as a player,” Dowd added. “I hope to not only share those lessons, but to continue to improve as a leader and teammate during my time here with Philips Gold!”
The clear task for Dowd heading into her Philips Gold stint is taking over the setter duties that Tolenada once held. With a team loaded with powerful spikers like Myla Pablo and Michele Gumabao, Dowd will surely make the necessary adjustments in order for her to establish chemistry with her new teammates and make an impact right away.
When asked about the expectations in replacing Tolenanda, she calmly replied, “Iris is a good friend of mine! I respect her as a player but no I don’t feel pressure. As a setter it’s your job to find success in the most challenging situations. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a career where those challenging situations were with some of the best volleyball players in the US.”
“So dealing with those obstacles at such a high level has given me confidence as a player and teammate. My goal however is not directed towards personal accolades as much as helping us win the championship this upcoming season in the Grand Prix.”
Now, with Philips Gold making their push in capturing the coveted title, Dowd is ready to give it all and she is definitely more than excited to take part in a highly-competitive import-laden tournament. Given the country’s love affair with volleyball, Dowd will surely find her place right away amongst the crowd.
“I’m hoping to see some of the best fans around when I step inside the gym in Manila! I love playing on a big stage and in front of a big crowd,” she happily ended. “The louder the better baby! Knowing that the Philippines has some of the most passionate fans around, gets me really excited for the season. LET’S GET LOUD MANILA!”
