UAAP: Sweep is not the mission, defending the crown is, says NU’s Jennifer Nierva
NU libero Jennifer Nierva. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Getting another sweep in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament is not on National University’s mind.
NU’s star libero Jennifer Nieva said defending the crown is the bigger priority for the Lady Bulldogs after a perfect run in Season 84.
However, Nierva knows it will not be easy knowing NU has a target on its back.
“It won’t be easy since we’re the ones they all want to beat. We’re the ones they want to replace because we were on top last season, said Nierva in Filipino on Wednesday at the UAAP Season 85’s volleyball press conference.
“The sweep is not in any of our minds but more of how to beat ourselves every training. It’s about how we improve and improve from our training.”
Not only did the Lady Bulldogs break a 65-year drought last year in women’s volleyball play, but they also did it in dominant fashion with 16-0 campaign.
Nierva was undoubtedly one of its biggest reasons for the sweep as she came away with Season 84’s Best Libero honors.
EMBRACING THE CHALLENGE
NU Lady Bulldogs complete sweep of UAAP Season 84 on their way to the title. –UAAP PHOTO
NU will continue to be backed by Nierva and Bella Belen, who went home with the league’s first ever Rookie-MVP recipient in women’s volleyball events, but the former admitted pressure to still be there at an all-time high.
“Now that we’re defending the title, of course, we’re pressured but at the same time, we love the challenge, knowing our teammates. They all love to compete and we won’t just allow ourselves to be replaced. Of course we’ll do our best to defend it [championship],” told the 5-foot-4 athlete.
To further prepare for this season’s volleyball festivities, the defending champions traveled to Japan and saw how natives played the sport.
Nierva revealed that the Lady Bulldogs had a whole new demeanor when they came back from their Japanese trip, seeing a team with more sense of urgency compared to last season.
“When we got back to NU, I saw how they trained. They trained so differently and they didn’t move like they did before. It’s like they don’t just want to win but also to improve the quality of volleyball in general,” she said.
The young and gritty National U will begin its title bid against a familiar foe in Ateneo when the UAAP formally opens on Saturday.
The Blue Eagles almost faced NU for last year’s chip as they trounced the Golden Tigresses in the stepladder playoffs, only to fall at the hands of semifinalist La Salle.
With Vanie Gandler and Faith Nisperos leading the Blue side, Nierva said the team will remain steadfast in following coach Karl Dimaculangan’s game plan to open the gates roaring for their back-to-back championship campaign.
“Ateneo, knowing them, they are a very offensive team. They have Faith, they have a go-to (scorer), so we just have to stick to our plans. We just have to focus on how we move.”
