National University-Monolith gave newly installed head coach Sherwin Meneses a fitting debut.
The Sky Risers took down Saipa Club of Iran in four sets, 25-19, 25-18, 19-25, 25-18 to open their 2024 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship Pool B campaign with a bang on Sunday at the Chathai Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
NU-Monolith dominated from the start, racing to an 11-5 lead and eventually building a 23-15 advantage – their largest of the frame – late in the opener following a Vange Alinsug off-the-block attack.
(C) AVC
The Iranians went on a 4-1 rally to cut the lead to five, but a back-row attack from Valinsug sealed the first-set win for the Sky Risers.
NU-Monolith duplicated its effort in the second set, but fell short in the third as Saipa Club bounced back in the third to force a fourth frame.
The Sky Risers found themselves tied with the Iranian club at 16-all in the fourth before Bella Belen spearheaded a 9-2 finishing kick to complete the win.
(C) AVC
“We came here not just to play and gather experience, but we also wanted to showcase our skills as a team. We knew that we would be up against really strong teams, and we need to be an equally strong team to compete in this field,” said Belen.
Alyssa Solomon and Belen shouldered the bulk of the offense.
Solomon finished with a game-high 22 points on 16 attacks, four blocks, and two service aces, while Belen ended up with 20 points on 14 attacks, four service aces, and two kill blocks.
Alinsug, Erin Pangilinan, and Alexa Mata each had eight markers in the victory that put NU-Monolith at 1-0 in Pool B.
On the other hand, Aytak Salamat led the Iranians with 14 points, while Sodi Bagherpour and Fatemeh Manzouri had 11 markers apiece.
