Ateneo girls to compete in WNCAA, Dacs regional

AFTER a failed bid in its last two campaigns, the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) secondary girls volleyball team is raring to get back on the right track by competing in two tournaments this month.

Ateneo lady coach Jasmin Bacolod said they are preparing for the Women's National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) Davao City eliminations and the Davao Association of Colleges and Schools (Dacs) regional sportsfest. Both volleyball tournaments are scheduled in November, but no definite dates have been set.

The Ateneo girls suffered a heartbreaking defeat to the Davao City National High School (DCNHS) in the finals of the Davao City Athletic Association (DCAA) Meet just a couple of weeks back.

After a sensational performance in the elimination round, Ateneo got clobbered in the gold medal-match, losing to DCNHS in straight sets and settling for the silver.

In the Mindanao leg of the Shakey's Girls Volleyball League 10th Season played at the University of Immaculate Conception (UIC) Bajada campus gym, Ateneo again bowed down to its perennial tormentor DCNHS in the cross-over semifinals.

It was heartbreaking defeat once more for the Ateneo girls, who took the opening set only to lose the next two frames as DCNHS mounted a fightback.

Ateneo had to console itself with a bronze medal after beating General Santos City National High School in the battle for third.

But, perhaps for the first time, Ateneo was left out in the individual awards as spikers from the triumphant DCNHS, silver medal winner Iligan National High School and General Santos were picked by the organizers as the best performers in the tournament.

These Ateneo girls will remain strong contenders for the title in future tournaments as none of them are in the fourth year level.

Bacolod said her team is composed of players from third, second year and even first year, which makes them a competitive team.

Leading the charge for Ateneo are Alyssa Alterado, Samantha Dizon, Jela Pe¤a, Allia Maspi¤as, Jubilee Therese Acosta and setter Nicole Frando. Assistant coach is Sherwin Maganda.