THE ATENEO Beach Volleyball Teams kick-started their respective University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 campaigns with a total of two victories and one loss. All three games were held earlier today, November 21, at the Sands at SM by the Bay in the City of Pasay.

Following today’s events, the Men’s Team now holds a record of 1-0, while the Women’s Team draws their record even at 1-1.

Women’s match vs. UE

Commencing the battle on the dunes, Ateneo called up opposite hitter Grydelle Matibag and setter Liz Lomocso to stand toe-to-toe against University of the East (UE)’s Van Bangayan and Krisha Revilla. 

Despite rising temperatures, the Blue Eagle pairing kept their poise under pressure. Starting neck-and-neck with the Red Warriors, Matibag and Lomocso gradually began pulling away to take the first set, 21-16. 

Continuing where they left off, the Atenean veterans displayed stellar teamwork on the court. Utilizing various attacks to score from all angles, the Blue and White managed to claim the second set as well as a victory in the process, 21-16. 

Men’s match vs. AdU

In the aerial battle against Maruel Tan and John Hiltones of Adamson University (AdU), the Blue and White unleashed Amil Pacinio and Jian Salarzon. The Katipunan-based duo dragged down the Soaring Falcons after dominating the sands in the opening frame, 21-17. 

Building on their momentum, Ateneo continued their surge as they capped off the game with a 2-0 sweep after taming the Soaring Falcons in the second set, 21-14.

Women’s match vs. UST

Looking to continue their winning ways, Matibag and Lomocso suited up again for the Blue Eagles as they attempted to contain the Tiger Sands. However, Ateneo encountered trouble as they absorbed a 6-21 drubbing in the first set.

Despite a relentless pursuit to force a deciding set, Ateneo failed to halt University of Santo Tomas (UST)’s runs in the second set, leading to an 8-21 loss, leading them to bow down to the Tiger Sands, 0-2.

With day one done and dusted, both squadrons look to continue their early success on the second day of action, November 22. First, the Men’s Beach Volleyball Team looks to remain undefeated against Far Eastern University and archrival De La Salle University at 7:00 AM and 4:15 PM, respectively. Meanwhile, the Women’s Team hopes to bolster their record as they face DLSU at 5:45 PM. All games are set to take place in the same venue. 

Set scores:

Women’s Division

Ateneo-UE: 21-16, 21-16

Ateneo-UST: 6-21, 8-21

Men’s Division

Ateneo-AdU: 21-17, 21-14