Locked and loaded
The Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors completed their lineup for the 2017 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Monday morning. The news was confirmed by team manager Atty. Eric Anthony Ty.
Pocari Sweat taps Strizak as second import
First up, joining Edina Selimovic as the team’s second reinforcement is 6-foot-1 opposite hitter Michelle Strizak. The native of Cincinnati, Ohio arrived in Manila last Friday and was welcomed by Selimovic and Lady Warriors co-captain Melissa Gohing.
“Michelle is a jack of all trades,” Ty remarked about Strizak, who last played in Puerto Rico’s pro league. “She was in the top five of every offensive category in that league.”
Strizak is a product of the University of Illinois volleyball program, a team that plays in the Big Ten. She played her senior year in 2016, averaging 3.39 points per set with a .218 hitting percentage.
Valdez fills second libero position
To complete the team’s lineup, Pocari Sweat also signed incoming fifth-year National University Lady Bulldogs libero Gayle Valdez. The signing was done on Monday morning.
“We also signed Gayle this morning,” Ty told Tiebreaker Times. “It will be a tough task backing up Mel [Gohing] but we hope she can grow with us.”
Valdez is coming off the Lady Bulldogs’ heartbreaking defeat to the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses last April 8. It was a disappointing end to her season that saw the native of Tarlac play limited time. She is hoping to restore her confidence with the Lady Warriors.
The entire team will hold their first practice tonight in Gold’s Gym Sheridan. And it’s safe to say, the Lady Warriors will be ready to defend their crown.
