THE BLUE and Lady Beach Spikers played their final game for the UAAP Beach Volleyball Tournament on September 11 at the UE Caloocan sand courts. Despite failing to reach the semifinals, the men’s and women’s teams finished strong, winning both their games against the National University.

Lady Beach Spikers

It took three sets, for the Lady Beach Spikers to beat the Lady Bulldogs 21-15, 19-21, 15-7. The game was reminiscent of their season-opener against UP when the poised Ateneo duo positioned themselves well on the sand.

Showcasing their complete game—leading by as much as 7 points in the first set—the ladies in Blue forced NU to commit numerous errors, giving the Lady Eagles total control. The Lady Bulldogs tried to rally, cutting the lead to 4, but Sharah So flicked a beautifully placed drop-shot in front of the NU girls to give Ateneo set point. Then Asia Urquico scored a spike to seal the set.

In the second set, the Lady Bulldogs put on a show, leading by as much as six points at 11-17. Clipping the net cord before going in, a drop-shot by So saw Ateneo claw way back and cut the lead down to one. But NU was able to spike the ball right on the line, giving them the set.

The third set, was a different story, the Ladies in Blue leading all the way. So scored four consecutive points late in the set, earning Ateneo set and match.

Blue Beach Spikers

The men’s team on the other hand played excellent volleyball as they won their first game dismantling the NU Bulldogs 21-17, 21-13.

The Blue Beach Spikers played big during the first set, moving and communicating well on the sand, they kept NU off-guard—forcing them to commit careless mistakes. Ateneo led the whole way, and Gelo Caancan spiked the ball to give them the first set win.

During the second set, Ateneo played even better—winning the set by a larger margin. Though it was a set full of errors for both teams, JP Pareja’s huge smash and Cancaan’s nice tip at the back of the court late in the set, enabled Ateneo to be in full control. An NU error gave the set and the match to the Boys in Blue.

The semi-finals start next week, September 18, in UE Caloocan.

Team standings as of September 8, 2010

Men’s

1.    FEU (6-0)

2.    UST (5-1)

3.    AdU (5-1)

4.    UP (3-3)

5.    DLSU (2-4)

6.    UE (2-4)

7.    NU (1-5)

8.    ADMU (1-6)

Women’s

1.    AdU (6-0)

2.    FEU (6-0)

3.    UST (4-2)

4.    DLSU (3-3)

5.    UE (3-4)

6.    UP (2-5)

7.    ADMU (2-5)

8.    NU (1-6)