Jump serves are a hit-or-miss type of thing in volleyball.
But on Saturday, it was definitely a hit for NU rookie Mhicaela Belen, making a living from the service line with eight aces to tie Dzi Gervacio’s record for most in a single game in the UAAP.
More importantly, Belen and her Lady Bulldogs cruised to an easy 25-15, 25-10, 25-15 win over University of the Philippines to move two wins away from an elimination round sweep and an outright Finals berth.
The record of eight aces stood for nine years as Gervacio, a jump server as well, did it on February 2, 2013 in Ateneo de Manila University’s 25-14, 25-8, 25-16 victory against, coincidentally, the Fighting Maroons as well.
But for the 5-foot-7 Belen, doing good in the service line today was all about bouncing back.
“Happy naman po ako na nakabawi po ako kasi nung last game po halos wala po akong naipasok na serve,” said Belen, who finished with 16 points to go with six excellent receptions, about their match against Adamson last Thursday.
“Happy naman po kami na naapply namin yung service namin, na lessen namin yung error namin doon.”
To make the record even more eye-popping, Belen had 17 chances from the service line, turning 47 percent of it to aces.
And by the way, she already knotted Gervacio’s record during the second set.
Asked about her approach when it comes to serving, the 19-year-old spiker out of Nazareth School answer was simple – but just like her sharp serves – effective.
“Lagi lang pong nasa isip ko na hindi naman po dapat kailangan laging ace lalo na po kaming spikers kailangan lang on target.”
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