Heavy schedule takes toll on Ateneo, says Meneses

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Ateneo assistant coach Sherwin Meneses said the Lady Eagles’ recent run to begin the second round of the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament has taken a toll on the team.

The Lady Eagles played four games 11 days and were all against teams who are in contention for a Final Four spot.

“I think the four games have taken a toll on the team, especially with this fourth one going to five sets,” said Meneses after his team lost to the Lady Bulldogs, 17-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13 at Filoil Flying V Centre.

Ateneo was on an eight-game winning streak prior to its game against NU, but the Lady Bulldogs were there to spoil the party as they handed the Lady Eagles their second loss in 11 outings.

Meneses added that it wasn’t just the UAAP schedule that was chipping away at the team, it was also the school’s midterms which were scheduled around this time.

“The exam week is a factor, and you all know how hectic exams are, it’s their hell week,” said Meneses. “It’s exhausting for them, some even skip sleep.”

But Meneses said the Lady Eagles’ morale is still high despite having their eight-game winning streak snapped.

“The morale’s still there, as we said earlier in the locker room even though we lost we still have a reward because we’ll practice just once tomorrow instead of having one in the morning and one in the afternoon,” said Meneses.

“The kids are still happy, they’re just tired.”