WITH a towering 5”10 frame, she dominates the net with her powerful smashes, her opponents helpless to stop her. When she leaps, expect her to pound the ball hard, fast, and precisely where she wants it to land.
Mary Jean Balse, 21, has the moves and the build of an ace volleyball player. After steering the UST Lady Spikers to a championship in the famed Shakey’s V-League conference and bagging the MVP plum, the College of Commerce student has carved a niche in the amateur volleyball scene, alongside Thomasians Roxanne Pimentel and Rubie de Leon.
At such an early stage in her career, many already fear and admire her daunting dominance at the net. But it came as no surprise to those who know of her volleyball prowess.
Family of athletes
Balse grew up in a family of athletes. Her father was into basketball and her brothers and sisters were varsity players in their respective schools.
Because of her father’s influence, she started her athletic career as a cagebelle. But she later realized that playing hoops was just not her cup of tea.
“Kapag nagpa-practice ako, parang naiilang ako at ‘di komportable,” she said.
Thus, she shifted to volleyball.
Her brothers and three of her five sisters were also very much involved in the sport. Her eldest sibling, Oliver, was a pro spiker, having played for the Men’s National Volleyball Team.
Brother Reny John also suits up for the Tiger Spikers. But the tradition of Thomasian spikers in the Balse family will not end there. Balse proudly said that her sister Cherry Ann is set to join the Lady Spikers next season.
Varsity blues
In her second year of high school, Balse joined her school’s volleyball team. Early on, she showed much potential, bagging an MVP award in the 2nd Mindanao Friendship Games.
After high school, Balse was keen on coming to UST. Coach Augusto Santamaria, whom she already knew since high school, encouraged her to try out for the Lady Spikers.
However, her coaches and trainors in Davao weren’t particularly happy with her decision. Balse was forced to take her first year in college at the University of Mindanao.
But her determination and hunger for improvement were so strong that Balse, with her parents’ consent, left Davao to pursue her studies and volleyball career in Manila. This left bitter feelings among her Davao coaches.
“Umalis ako nang walang paalam (sa coaches),” she admitted. “Sana maintindihan nila ako.”
Rise to the top
True enough, a lot of doors opened for the 21-year-old smasher when she transferred to Manila.
Balse aced the National Team tryouts, landing in the first six lineup of the 2003 South East Asian Games (SEAG) women’s volleyball team, which finished third.
She also proved her worth in several local tournaments, plucking MVP awards in the University Games and the Shakey’s V-League inaugural conference, which UST won.
In UAAP season 67, the Lady Spikers failed to edge the DLSU spikers, but Balse shone with a well-deserved Rookie of the Year plum.
Although she failed to defend her crown, Balse snagged the Best Receiver award in the Shakey’s V-League second conference last January.
Together with lady spiker Kate Co Yu Kang, Balse will again represent the country in the Manila SEAG in November.
Perils
As a student-athlete, juggling academics and athletics has not been easy.
Everyday, she trains with the RP team from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Afterwards, she heads back to UST for her classes. She will again wear her jersey at 5 p.m. for her training with the Lady Spikers.
Balse admits that she’s lucky to have a Saturday or a Sunday off.
Being away from her family for a whole year was also depressing, she related.
“Noong first year ako, na-miss ko sila kasi ang layo nila,” she said. “Pero ngayon nasa Cavite na lang sila kaya ok na.”
Balse also said that the media attention that she has been receiving is overwhelming, but she takes it all in stride.
“Masaya ako na may sumusuporta sa’kin. Pero minsan ‘pag kritiko, hindi ko na lang masyado iniisip,” she said.
Multifaceted athlete
Who knew that this rookie from Davao could do so much in so little time? Santamaria said Balse was really a prized catch.
“Malaki ang naitutulong niya sa blocking at sa offense,” he said in an earlier interview with the Varsitarian.
Co Yu Kang, whom Balse describes as her best friend, believes that what made the Davaoeña stand out is her unwavering humility.
“Isa siya sa nagdadala sa team o star player pa nga, pero hindi siya mayabang,” she said.
The Season 67 team skipper added that Balse is a welcome addition to the team, helping not only play-wise, but also in strengthening the bond among its members.
“Masayahin siya at sobrang dedicated sa UST kahit mas nauna siyang nakapasok sa RP team,” she narrated.
Lady Spiker Venus Bernal mentioned that Balse’s dedication to the team goes beyond her physical capacity, showing up for training even when she is sick.
Future
Even now, Balse has her eyes on the pro ranks. “Kung kaya ko mag-pro, bakit hindi?” She said.
But she is also open to other career paths.
“’Pagkatapos ng graduation ko, mag-aaral ako ng Nihongo,” she said. “Si kuya (Oliver) kasi nasa Japan. Siya na raw bahala humanap ng trabaho para sa akin doon.”
Establishing a small business is also an option for Balse. After all, she wants to put her Commerce education to good use.
Whatever the future holds in store for Balse, she is sure to succeed. But for now, expect her to don her black and gold jersey because she is not going anywhere.
“Dito lang ako sa UST. Hindi ako lilipat,” she said, dismissing thoughts of being pirated by other big universities.
