By Adrian Stewart Co

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) defeated a shorthanded National University squad 26-24, 25-17, 23-25, 25-17 in the 81st UAAP women’s volleyball season over the weekend at the San Juan Arena.

Ejiya Laure led UST with 20 points, including 19 attacks; while Cherry Rondina and Mary Dominique Pacres added 16 and 12 markers, respectively.

After a strong start in the opening set, UST suddenly found themselves down 24-21 but managed to salvage the set with five straight points from Rondina and Laure.

UST broke away from a tight second frame with hits from Laure, Pacres, and Rondina for a 2-0 set lead. They nearly had a chance to sweep the match after taking a 23-21 lead in the third set but Princess Robles rallied NU to stay alive.

In the fourth frame, however, UST went for the kill with conversions from Laure and Rondina for a 16-10 advantage, which eventually grew and sealed the match./ASC, WDJ