THE UST Junior Golden Tigresses swept the first round of the UAAP Season 80 girls’ volleyball tournament after knocking out rival Nazareth School of National University Lady Bullpups, 25-23, 18-25, 25-16, 25-20, at the Arena in San Juan Saturday.
The Junior Tigresses remained on top with a 6-0 win-loss record while NU fell to 5-1.
The Tigresses enjoyed an early lead before NU threatened a comeback late in the fourth set. Janna Torres’ service ace closed a three-point swing as UST clinched its sixth win in as many games, 25-20.
UST had a 16-9 advantage midway in the third frame and never looked back as top hitter Eya Laure fired two-straight kills to give the Junior Tigresses a commanding 2-1 set lead, 25-16.
The Lady Bullpups broke free from a 12-all deadlock after a 13-6 blitz topped by Alyssa Solomon’s block to give NU its lone set win, 25-18.
“Na-control [talaga] namin ‘yong errors namin. Nadeliver namin ‘yung bola sa right area and person at ‘yun talaga ang nag-dictate ng right tempo sa aming lahat,” UST coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes Jr said.
NU uncorked a 7-3 run to tie the game at 23-all late in the first canto, but the Junior Tigresses took first blood after Gayle Pascual’s off-the-block kill and an NU attack error.
Laure dropped a season-high 22 points while Torres and Renren Peñafiel added 8 points apiece.
Nisperos had 14 points while Toring added 13 for NU.
The second round of girls’ volleyball action is yet to be announced.
