The Next Set: Lady Spikers set out to defend their crown this UAAP S86
“We’re going for back-to-back.” — Julia Coronel, Team Captain of the DLSU Lady Spikers
Heavy is the head that wears the crown but only the strongest get to keep it.
Bearing hard-fought championship titles across different leagues in 2023, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers have proven time and time again why they are a team to look out for. The Lady Spikers have always been a part of the top teams to reign over the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Volleyball history. With 12 championship titles, 20 Finals appearances, and 13 Final Four contentions, the Taft-based squad has a reputation to uphold and a legacy to continue.
After the Crown
Before the UAAP Season 85 Championship, the last time DLSU won the women’s volleyball tournament was in Season 80 back in 2018, which earned the team their third 3-peat title. After winning last season, the team took a short break before going back to work to prepare for Season 86 despite it being a year away.
In preparation for her first UAAP season as team captain, Julia Coronel talked about the difficulties of defending a title, “We had to give it our all and work hard twice as much kasi the coaches would always remind us that yung pagdadaanan namin this season is not going to be easy.” Ultimately, she led to the conclusion that defending a title surmounts the difficulty of winning one — thus, calling for extra preparation for the season to come.
One such preparation is when the team joined the 2023 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals where they took yet another crown home to Taft Avenue. This league was Coronel’s debut as team captain along with the debut of many rookies that we have yet to look out for this upcoming Season 86.
Other UAAP schools also participated in the tournament, and when asked about how it feels to go against them in the coming weeks, Coronel stays grounded with her eyes on the prize. The team continues to play with the same mindset, knowing that all the schools have been preparing for the UAAP just as much as them so they cannot be comfortable with where they are at now.
Coronel admits that transitioning to the role of captain had its difficulties. “It wasn’t easy at all, pero I really had to push through all the challenges that I faced kasi all eyes are on me. I think ending that league, mas nakilala ko sarili ko as a leader and as a setter on the court,” says Coronel. Overall, the captain led the team to the Championships where they took home the gold.
Coronel also shared how proud she was of her younger teammates, the rookies who stepped up and helped carry the team to victory. These promising rookies are going to be the new names to look out for this coming season and after their performance in the SSL, they are sure to make an impact in the UAAP. After the tournament, season preparations were back for the Lady Spikers.
Full Force Forward
The first and foremost goal of the DLSU Lady Spikers is to defend their title this Season 86. The priority of the team remains to be a back-to-back championship for the Green and White, keeping in mind that they play for the name in front of the jersey before the one at the back.
With a winning legacy to uphold, team captain Julia shares the same sentiments but with a personal touch of aiming to not only lead the team to the championship but also make an impact on the team and the UAAP community. She feels the pressure of entering the season as team captain for the first time, but also tries her best to look past that nervousness, reminding herself to enjoy the games and have fun with the team.
The Lady Spikers have not lacked in preparation for the upcoming season with the coaches continuing to push the team and reminding them that there is no time to relax. With a championship title to defend, the team strives to supersede last year’s performance knowing that the bar they set last season is now the stepping stone for Season 86.
Despite bearing two championship titles from 2023 alone, Coronel is not yet satisfied with the performance of the team and herself. She says, “I believe that there’s always something to improve on. I acknowledge that my journey during the SSL was very shaky. I got my groove [a little] late in the league so from there, I got to know myself more and I got to know what I should improve on in this upcoming season.”
On match days, the team’s pre-game routine is never without music to keep the energy and positivity high in the dugout and during the team’s warm-up. Coronel also mentioned how they always pray together for the upcoming match and the safety of the players, highlighting the significant role of faith in their performance and humility amidst the success.
Beyond the court, the Lady Spikers value their relationships with one another and strengthen their connection through different bonding activities. Living together has since been one of the main factors in their closeness as they celebrate the little joys of life. It is in these moments of quality time wherein they learn to treasure one another as more than just teammates but as a family as well.
Big Hands, Big Heart
Julia Coronel began playing volleyball in 2013, living half of her life being dedicated to the sport. She has tried other sports like tennis and basketball but neither became her calling. From playing in the covered courts after class to trying out and making the team, her discovery of volleyball is what truly changed her life.
She did not start as one of the taller players that would fit for a spiker. Her position of being the setter was foretold by her grade school coach saying, “Oh, your hands are big. You can be a setter.” 11 years later, Coronel looks back and realizes that it was not because of her height, but because of her big hands that she grew to learn and love the sport. Now, she continues to play led by her heart with the hopes of one day making a name for herself and being open to all the opportunities.
Coming into her first UAAP season leading the team, Coronel is encouraged by her excitement about the endless possibilities that this upcoming season has to offer. She looks forward to the growth she will gain and the lessons she will take away from the experience.
Luckily enough, being a setter-captain is nothing new to Julia Coronel. Having held the same position in her high school team, she has already established the kind of leader she wants to be and the responsibility that the position comes with. Her setter position also aided her transition to being the captain. “Like what Coach always says, the setter is the driver of the team. Wherever the setter wants to bring the team, that’s where the team is going,” says Coronel, highlighting how crucial her performance is even before her captaincy, knowing that it is relied on by the rest of the team.
She takes the lessons that she learned from her coaches and playing experience and applies them to her daily life and career. Coronel has learned to push beyond her comfort zone to become her best version. She appreciates her coaches for giving her the room to grow. In all her years of playing, she sums it all up in one lesson that she applies in all aspects of her life: Growth is not linear.
Arrows Incoming
Gratitude holds a large place in Coronel’s heart; gratitude to her coaches who believed in her capabilities, her teammates who trusted her with the captain position, her family for being her anchor and pillars of life, and the fans of the Lady Spikers for their endless support for the team.
With a determined mindset, she looks to her teammates knowing the challenges they have yet to face in the incoming season, “I won’t leave you guys hanging, I will do my best to fulfill my job as both setter and the captain of our team and I know na madadala ko kayo this season sa goal nating lahat.”
“To the Lasallian community, to our supporters, and to everyone who believed in us, thank you for continuously being there for our team, for cheering us on during our good games and bad games, and for defending us from all of our doubters we hope that you continue to be with us and support us this upcoming UAAP season and this season is for all of you. This season is for all of you guys who continue to believe in us and we promise we won’t let you down.” — Julia Coronel, Team Captain
With that, the Lady Spikers set out to defend their crown.
Come and support the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers as they are matched up against the Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons on the opening day of the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament this February 17, 4 PM at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.
The rest of their Round 1 schedule is as follows:
February 21, 2 PM — DLSU vs. FEU
February 25, 3 PM — DLSU vs. UST
March 2, 4 PM — DLSU vs. Ateneo
March 6, 2 PM — DLSU vs. UE
March 10, 4 PM — DLSU vs. UP
March 16, 2 PM — DLSU vs. NU
