DEBUTING IN the newly refurbished PSC Badminton Hall, the Ateneo Lady Shuttlers’ bout with the La Salle Lady Archers ended badly. In championship fashion, the Lady Archers swept the Ateneo Lady Shuttlers 5-0 on August 21.

Despite the nil score for Ateneo , the ladies in Blue fought to the end, forcing numerous sets down to the wire. “We fought well, but we lacked stamina and luck”, veteran Lady Shuttler, Lisa Encarnacion said.

The Taft-based team composed of a relatively intact lineup from their championships run last season, featured only one new recruit. The ladies in Blue, on the other hand, sported three new recruits in their pursuit to garner UAAP experience.

Kicking off the Ateneo Lady Shuttlers Season 73 campaign was Encarnacion, who bowed down to Descka Calimlim in two sets (21-19, 21-10). The first set highlighted Encarnacion as a formidable opponent, keeping the difference close, with Calimlim eventually pulling away. Encarnacion was plagued by unforced errors, and was unable to return Calimlim’s hard-hitting smashes.

The second matchup pitted captain Carla Lizardo against Geli Ramos. Lizardo pushed Ramos to the limit, extending both sets passed the 21 game point mark. Both sets were won by a small margin. Ramos’ game winning drop shot in the first set barely skimmed the line, and in the second set, Ramos won the match via an unfortunate Lizardo unforced error (23-21, 25-23). “It was a good game, I was disappointed, but at least I can see what is lacking”, Lizardo said about the game.

The Lady Archers sealed the win with doubles pair Bernice Asenio and Rachel Guerrero defeating Audrey Ng and Mikee Roxas (19-21, 21-14, 21-11). The Ateneo pair gave teammates and spectators a glimmer of hope, taking an early one set lead through the commanding drive of Ng. However, the La Salle pair unleashed an offensive onslaught that overpowered the Ateneo side. “Mas malaban lang sila (The Lady Archers had a stronger fighting spirit)”, Ng commented on the Lady Archers pair.

The Lady Archers solidified their performance by completing the 5-0 sweep. The second doubles pair Danica Bolos and Calimlim defeated, new recruits, Chikka Kumar and Jaimee Calacday (26-24, 21-15), and third singles Danica San Ignacio, the Lady Archer’s only new recruit, dominated fellow first year player Paula Filart (21-9, 21-8).

The Ateneo Lady Shuttlers continue their campaign as they face UP today, August 22, 1pm at the Rizal Sports Complex Badminton Hall.