UE Lady Warriors. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
University of the East was picture of disarray during the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament after winning just of the 14 games it played.
After a few tinkering in the offseason, however, two prominent figures in the Lady Warriors’ locker room believe their improved chemistry will ultimately change their fortunes.
Team captain Roselle Baliton said even head coach Francis Vicente has created a different atmosphere within the team, switching from a strict disciplinarian to an almost laid-back chap.
“Coach Francis even jokes with us right now,” said Baliton in Filipino. “He’s not that strict anymore and he’s beginning to give this light presence with the team. The bonding’s better.”
Vicente had always displayed a no-questions-asked demeanor with his team, be it with the national squad or with the girls’ volleyball team of University of Santo Tomas when he was still head coach.
That, however, apparently toned down as the team prepares to make surprises in Season 80.
And that change in disposition became key to the team’s improved structure as former captain Shaya Adorador said.
“The skills are already there and what we are focused right now is improving how we move as a team on the court,” said Adorador in Filipino. “We’re focusing on how we will gel better once we go in the floor.”
UE was the second-worst spiking team in Season 79 posting a success rate of just 23.27 percent and that was partly due to the team’s terrible 7.47 excellent set average per period.