By Adrian Stewart Co

Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts swept the championships in the San Carlos City Invitational Age-Group Volleyball Festival girls division on Monday at the Barangay 4 Covered Court in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

The U-18 Thunderbolts bagged the girls Under-18 division title with a 29-27, 25-16 sweep of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu behind the solid showing of MVP Dona Mae De Leon.

De Leon’s national U-18 girls volley teammates Katherine Shaine Cortez, Jothea Mae Ramos and Joenil Ramos, and national U-19 girls volleyball team member Jihann Chuatico also made their presence felt.

The U-18 Thunderbolts were pushed to the limit in the extended first set before starting strong in the second set with a quick double-digit lead en route to a straight-set romp.

Other members of the U-18 Thunderbolts were Gwen Bañas, Amber Lily Biong, Alex Montoro, Ysabelle Chua, Sophie Cagalawan, Patricia Grace Hiponia, and Anthiea Nishant Galicia.

The U-18’s triumph completed Bacolod Tay Tung High School’s sweep of the girls division of three-day volley fest after the Thunderbolts’ U-14 and U-12 teams also ruled their respective divisions.

“Dona has really showed tremendous improvement but our other players also stepped up and contributed to this championship,” said assistant coach Roberto Calamba Jr.

The Thunderbolts’ U-14 squad clinched their title with a come-from-behind 16-25 25-18 15-10 beating of Talisay with Kimberly Rubin being named as MVP.

The Thunderbolts U-12 team, on the other hand, swept San Carlos City in their finale, 25-14, 25-9, with Alexa Bertolano being named as the division MVP.

The San Carlos City Invitational Age-Group Volleyball Festival was part of the city’s 62nd Charter Day Anniversary./ASC, WDJ