Lady Spikers fall short on Days 2 and 3
On Day 2 and Day 3 of the UAAP Season 86 Beach Volleyball tournament, the DLSU Lady Spikers (0–4) fell short of notching a victory at the Sands SM by the Bay.
La Salle succumbed first to the UST Golden Tigresses, 13–21, 9–21 and despite being more determined in their matchup against the UE Lady Warriors, the Green and White fell again in straight sets, 15–21, 15–21 to conclude Day 2. The Lady Spikers’ sole matchup on the third day of action, namely against the FEU Lady Tamaraws resulted in the same way, a defeat, 11–21 and 10–21.
DLSU vs. UST Golden Tigresses
In La Salle’s first match of Day 2, it was a scoring spree for the España-based squad, as the latter scored back-to-back to earn a seven-point lead in the first set, 10–17. From there, UST continued to dominate the game as the Lady Spikers struggled to find their rhythm, committing unforced errors for the rest of the first set. The set soon closed out, 9–21. Later in the second set, UST managed to build their biggest lead of the game, 14 points, 3–17. The Taft-based squad would stop the bleeding for a while with an attack but UST’s strong defense and quick attacks would widen the separation again. A service error from the Green and White soon handed the match to the Golden Tigresses, 9–21.
Set scores: 13–21, 9–21
DLSU vs. UE Lady Warriors
It was a different atmosphere though when the Lady Spikers went up against the UE Lady Warriors. The Lady Spikers were more head strong and alternated scores with the red and white team. At the beginning of the first set, both teams put up strong attacks but the Warriors would eventually come up on top. From there, UE consecutively scored and built a seven-point lead just before the technical time out. The Lady Spikers didn’t give out though as they fought relentlessly, shortening the gap. However, multiple service errors and outside balls by the Green and White gave the first set to UE, 15–21.
At the start of the second set, the Lady Warriors quickly got into a rhythm as they built a five-point advantage, prompting La Salle to call for a time out. After, the Taft team came back determined and slowly chipped at the lead with quick attacks and soft touches to eventually equalize, 10–all. The Lady Spikers then took the lead just before the technical time out. From there, DLSU continued to widen the gap but a net ball caught them off guard, to which UE took to their advantage. The Lady Red Warriors went on a scoring spree to take the lead, 14–18. Service errors from the Lady Spikers once again secured the victory to UE, 15–21.
Set scores: 15–21, 15–21
DLSU vs. FEU Lady Tamaraws
On Day 3 against the FEU Lady Tamaraws, the Lady Spikers started strong. Despite alternating scores in the beginning, DLSU eventually became consistent in offense as they scored consecutively to widen the gap. FEU, however, was quick to adapt as the Tamaraws then went on a scoring spree to bring the score to 8-all. From there, FEU asserted their dominance with back-to-back service aces and assorted attacks. La Salle responded to each rally, but just could not keep up with the quick soft touches of the Tamaraws. After the TTO, the Lady Spikers were only able to score three more points against the consecutive service aces and long balls of FEU, before the latter took the set, 11–21.
It was the same for the Lady Spikers in the second set, starting strong but failing to push through. The Lady Tamaraws, on the other hand, showed a slow but steady performance to eventually overcome DLSU’s three-point lead. Both teams exchanged their fair share of violations and errors in the middle of the set but the Lady Spikers were unable to recover when the Lady Tamaraws took this heap to their advantage. The Morayta-based team alternated sending short balls and long balls in attacking the open spaces of DLSU’s court, to get to a 9–14 separation. A service error from FEU gave the Green and White their last point, but the former quickly followed this with consecutive attacks to keep momentum. Soon, a service ace from the Tamaraws concluded the set and the match, 10–21.
Set scores: 11–21, 10–21
The Lady Spikers will aim to notch their first win against the Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons on Friday, November 24, 1 PM, at the same venue.
