UAAP volleyball: Alyssa Solomon, Lady Bulldogs slowly picking up pace

Alyssa Solomon and the NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Alyssa Solomon is happy her team is rediscovering its touch after the NU Lady Bulldogs strung two straight victories in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament despite their slow starts.

After losing to UST and being forced to a five-setter by the rebuilding Ateneo last week, the Lady Bulldogs showed flashes of their lethal form in sweeping Adamson Lady Falcons, 25-17, 25-20, 25-20, on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I’m very happy with our performance, though we had a slow start. I felt that I lacked the confidence in the first set,” said Solomon in Filipino. “But as the game went by, I was able to redeem myself. I’m happy with our performance.”

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round

Solomon led the way for NU with 17 points including two blocks and an ace to conspire with Bella Belen and Vange Alinsug, who scored 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Despite the straight-set win, the 6-foot-1 opposite hitter stressed that the Lady Bulldogs still have a lot to work on this season if they want to make the trek back to the Finals.

“It starts in training. You should give your 100 percent in practice and apply it to the game,” Solomon said. “We need to have a game-like mindset in training so we will be able to work on our lapses for us to avoid having regrets in games.”

READ: UAAP volleyball: NU redeems pride with sweep of Adamson

NU coach Norman Miguel, meanwhile, is trying to make sure his players peak at the right time.

“We’re slowly getting there. It’s better to take one step at a time since we just played a few games in the first round. We’re avoiding peaking too soon,” said Miguel in Filipino.

NU coach Norman Miguel, Alyssa Solomon, and Sheena Toring on their second straight win. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/uT38kzCPeu

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NU eyes win No.3 against the University of the Philippines on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“We have to be patient with each other like what we did earlier, when someone struggles, someone will cover you and cheer you up,” Solomon said. “We’ve improved our skills but we need to add more power to our service, which was lackluster in the past two games.”