OFFICIALLY ON the winning column, the Ateneo Blue Eagles snatch their first win in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Women’s Volleyball Tournament from the University of the East (UE) Lady Red Warriors in four sets. The Blue Eagles—now with 1-1 win-loss record—kept their composure throughout the match to win it, 25-17, 25-23, 24-26, 25-10, earlier today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

In the first set, the Lady Red Warriors and the Blue Eagles were neck-and-neck, as both squads traded points off their errors and offensive plays. Despite UE’s Janine Lana charging her team, the Lady Red Warriors failed to minimize their errors. Ateneo Team Captain Faith Nisperos and veteran stalwart Vanie Gandler capitalized on this and led the Katipunan-based squad to win the first set, 25-17.

[1st Set]

Gandler converts for Ateneo as the Lady Red Warriors ask for time.

Ateneo 23 UE 17#UAAPVolleyball

— Anton Mercado (@Anton_TheGUIDON) March 1, 2023

Similar to the first set, Ateneo and UE had a back-and-forth battle. Middle blocker AC Miner’s and rookie Yvana Sulit’s combined efforts provided the Blue Eagles with a much-needed four-point lead, 22-18. Even with Lady Red Warriors Dara Nieva and KC Cepada’s offensive plays cutting down Ateneo’s lead to two, Nisperos snatched the second set with a soft touch, 25-23.

[2nd Set]

Ateneo avoids an extended set after Nisperos gets a soft touch to connect. The Blue Eagles now ahead 2 sets to 0.

Ateneo 25 UE 23#UAAPVolleyball

— Anton Mercado (@Anton_TheGUIDON) March 1, 2023

The Blue Eagles lacked the needed aggressiveness to immediately dominate Set 3 and allowed the UE Lady Red Warriors their biggest lead, 4-10. Refusing to falter, Ateneo stole back the lead as they capitalized on UE’s consecutive errors while Taks Fujimoto and AC Miner’s lethal setter-hitter connection brought the team a slim 17-16 lead. The Blue and White failed to sustain this momentum, rendering them unable to finish the match with a sweep. The Lady Red Warriors erased Ateneo’s match point and eventually took the set, 26-24.

[3rd Set]

Miner continues to make quick work off the running attack.

Ateneo 17 UE 16#UAAPVolleyball

— Anton Mercado (@Anton_TheGUIDON) March 1, 2023

The beginning of the fourth set was marked by Ateneo’s impressive 8-0 run. Gandler alongside Rookie Geezel Tsunashima led Ateneo’s offensive end. The Blue Eagles approached match point with a comfortable 14-point lead as they continued punching loaded attacks to the opponent’s floor, 24-10. Finally, an error committed by UE’s top performer Cepada gave the Blue Eagles the match, 25-10, and their first win of the season.

[4th Set]

Gandler goes for the cross-court attack!

Ateneo 18 UE 8#UAAPVolleyball

— Anton Mercado (@Anton_TheGUIDON) March 1, 2023

The Blue Eagles hope to build on their momentum as they will face their archrivals, the De La Salle University Lady Spikers on Sunday, March 5, at 3:00 PM at the same venue.

Box scores:

Ateneo: Gandler – 14, Nisperos – 14, Tsunashima – 13, Miner – 8, Sulit – 6, De Guzman – 4, Fujimoto – 4, Narit – 1

UE: Cepada – 14, Nogales – 9, Lana – 6, Nieva – 6, Bangayan – 5, Pelaga – 4, Quizon – 2

Set scores:

25-17, 25-23, 24-26, 25-10