Taking a leap of faith from California State University San Marcos, American and one-and-done middle blocker Kassy Doering is making sure to seize every opportunity possible to propel the University of the Philippines toward the Final Four for the first time in six seasons.
With the Fighting Maroons’ postseason aspirations hanging in the balance, Doering took control in the clutch, tallying five of her season-high 15 points in the fifth set to lead UP’s upset of perennial powerhouse De La Salle University, 26-24, 18-25, 19-25, 25-22, 16-14, in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, Sunday afternoon, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The 6-foot middle blocker also showed ice-cold composure in the dying moments. Two straight points by Season 85 Rookie-MVP Angel Canino sent the fifth set into extended play at 14-all, but Doering nailed the go-ahead quick attack that eventually kept UP’s Final Four bid alive and kicking.
“Emotions can run wild, but for me, it’s just remaining calm and steady in the mind and just always taking things one by one,” Doering said, who tallied 15 points on 12 attacks with a 12-of-23 attack efficiency and a game-high three blocks.
“This time, we have the potential to get to the goal that we want. I’m so grateful to have come to the Philippines at this time and with this group of girls,” she remarked on the Fighting Maroons’ chances to enter the Final Four for the first time since Season 78 in 2016.
Despite her stellar individual play, Doering admitted that she drew inspiration from the collective fight that UP displayed — such a team effort that willed the Fighting Maroons from a 1-2 set deficit to hike their win-loss record to an even 6-6 slate.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Doering did not do it all alone as Joan Monares top-scored for UP with 16 points — including the game-winning down-the-line hit — alongside seven excellent digs and seven excellent receptions. Meanwhile, rookie hitter Kianne Olango provided 14 points on 10 attacks.
The fourth-year middle blocker Nina Ytang also manned the net alongside Doering, finishing with 11 points on 10 attacks. Then Irah Jaboneta displayed an all-around effort with nine points, 18 excellent receptions, and 16 excellent digs.
“I think it’s just about finding that fight within us and within my teammates. As soon as we feel like we might falter, I look to my teammates to kind of rekindle that spark inside, and I think that’s what showed up today,” Doering said.
Out to relish her one and only shot at making a UAAP women’s volleyball Final Four tournament, Doering acknowledged that the job is far from done.
To solidify their Final Four bid over contenders like UST (8-4) and FEU (8-5), the Fighting Maroons must gain crucial victories in their last two elimination matches — against the Golden Tigresses on Wednesday, April 23, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, and against the surging Adamson Lady Falcons on Sunday, April 27, at the Big Dome.
“I think just from past recoveries and this current recovery, I think we’ve been doing all the right things. Since one of our previous matches where our bodies kind of tightened up, I think the recovery process that we’ve been applying has been working and we’re gonna apply the same thing this break. And we’re gonna be prepared for the next game.”
