Lady Spikers plan ‘grandest of exits’ for graduating stars

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

De La Salle has yet to play a set in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament, but the team’s holdovers are already planning a smooth road for their graduating teammates.

Captains Mary Joy Baron and Kianna Dy, and libero Dawn Macandili played their final elimination game in the UAAP after the Lady Spikers shot down Ateneo in straight sets, 26-24, 25-17, 25-19, and those that will be left in the team for next season promised their seniors they will do whatever it takes for their athletic graduation to be as grandiose as their academic ones.

Sophomore setter Michelle Cobb said the team’s motivation in finishing with the best record this season was the fact that Baron, Dy, and Macandili won’t be with them come next year.

“Of course this is for our seniors, that’s what coach (Ramil De Jesus) has always told us for the rest of the year,” said Cobb in Filipino Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“We want to give them the grandest of exits, so that was our motivation, to give them the best exit,” added Cobb, who had all of La Salle’s 24 excellent sets.

La Salle is gunning for its third straight women’s volleyball title, and 11th overall, and that piece of hardware is what the incumbent Lady Spikers want to give as a farewell gift to their seniors.

Outside hitter Tin Tiamzon, who is in her third year, said every ounce of effort they give while wearing La Salle’s trademark green is for the seniors.

“It’s all for our seniors, we want to give them a good exit after their playing career in the UAAP,” said Tiamzon, who had 11 points against the Lady Eagles, in Filipino. “This is for them, and also for the La Sallian community, for coach, and for all our families.”