National University-Monolith concluded its 2024 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship campaign in sixth place after falling to Duc Giang Chemical in straight sets, with scores of 25-18, 25-15, and 25-10, on Saturday at Chathai Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
After a promising four-set victory over the reigning Hong Kong Volleyball League champions Kwai Tsing, the Sky Risers struggled to maintain their momentum against a formidable Thailand side led by PLDT’s Reinforced Conference import, Elena Samoilenko.
The first two sets proved particularly difficult for NU-Monolith, as they trailed by as many as 11 points in each frame, struggling to find their rhythm despite their earlier dominant performance in the attacking department.
Duc Giang Chemical sealed their fifth-place finish with a clutch 9-4 run, effectively dashing the Sky Risers’ hopes of achieving the Philippines’ highest placement in this tournament over the last three years.
With this defeat, NU-Monolith matched Choco Mucho’s sixth-place finish from the same tournament in 2021.
Vange Alinsug led the scoring for the Sky Risers with 14 points, while Alyssa Solomon contributed 10 points.
Notably, Bella Belen played only in the first set.
On the other side, former PLDT import Elena Samoilenko shone for DGC, leading her team with 17 points, including 11 attacks and six aces.
Hoang Thi Hong Ngat and Tran Thi Bich Thuy, also made significant contributions with eight and nine points, respectively.
Now, with two international tournaments under their belt during the offseason—the 2024 VTV International Women’s Volleyball Cup and the 2024 Asian Club Volleyball Championship—the Lady Bulldogs will shift their focus to the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship.
NU will begin its SSL campaign against Emilio Aguinaldo College on October 11, Friday, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
