The UST Junior Golden Tigresses bolstered their roster during the offseason, bringing in 17 recruits to strengthen their talent pipeline ahead of UAAP Season 89.
Headlining the incoming class is NCAA Season 101 girls’ volleyball Best Libero Janine Espiritu, the 4-foot-9 defensive specialist who helped the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Junior Lady Altas capture the championship that season. Joining her at libero is 5-foot-1 Lanah Orilla of Concepcion, Tarlac.
UST also reinforced its middle blocker corps with the additions of 5-foot-11 Ma. Aranel Gutierrez of Rizal, 5-foot-10 Anneli Manzanillo of Ilocos Norte, 5-foot-10 Cheyenne Uy of Davao City, 5-foot-10 Rhian Astrologo of South Cotabato and 5-foot-9 Ciarra Calfoforo of Iloilo.
Among the new opposite hitters are 5-foot-5 Jhamielle Cadua of Iloilo, 5-foot-7 Megan Hernandez of Batangas City, 5-foot-7 Kaite Cruz of Bulacan and 5-foot-7 Merish Beltran of Tarlac.
The Junior Golden Tigresses also welcomed six outside hitters, led by 5-foot-10 standouts Lyzah Moreno of Cagayan de Oro City and Ryza Sespeñe of Antique. They will be joined by 5-foot-7 Jyrah Romias of Iloilo, 5-foot-6 Aira Brua of Davao, 5-foot-5 Akishia Tuballa of Aklan and 5-foot-5 Kennie Gabion of Iloilo.
The Junior Golden Tigresses bid farewell to 14 players from their UAAP Season 88 roster, with most departing after graduation, including Aneeza Santos, Rochelle Olaguir, Reeza Abayon, Mishka Estrada and former team captain Kim Rubin, who has committed to the Golden Tigresses at the collegiate level.
In Season 88, the team finished fourth after losing in the first round against National University – Nazareth School, which eventually won the championship.
