By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of St. La Salle (USLS) Lady Stingers showed its prowess by topping the 1st Mayor Gerry Rojas Tinabu-ay Women’s Open Volleyball League at Murcia Sports and Cultural Center in Negros Occidental’s Murcia town.

Led by rookie spiker Ashley Diandra Rapiz, setter Nicolei Galvan and sophomore Deanne Yvette Guinanao, the Lady Stingers pulled off a come-from-behind 22-25, 26-24, 15-10 victory over Burgas Phoenix.

It was a close battle for both teams in the opening set, but Burgas Phoenix showed its steadiness to pull off a 1-0 set edge.

However, USLS turned things around in the second frame to send the match to a decider.

In the third and last set, both teams traded attacks early on until the Lady Stingers came up with consecutive points to establish much-needed separation before holding off Burgas Phoenix’s attempted rally.

Also part of the squad were team captain Sayrel Bermeo, Yasmin Baylin, Mahriz Cosain, Juliever Ann Gabales, Hannah Dindah, Daneea Jardiolin, Armaneelyn Degracia, Mariella Garcia, Eliza Bautista, Jirah Oquendo, and Aira Denise Estanda.

Serving as head coach for the USLS Lady Stingers squad was Simon Aguillon, while former Bacolod Tay Tung High School athletics coach Lei Dano was one of his assistant coaches.

On their way to the championship round, the Lady Stingers prevailed over Murcia Women’s Volleyball Team, while Burgas Phoenix prevailed over the Zone 10 Talisay City team.

In the preliminary round, USLS Lady Stingers defeated Zone 10 Talisay City before being beaten by Burgas Angels and rebounding with a resounding victory over the La Carlota City squad.

Unlike in the semifinals and the championship round, where it is race-to-two sets, the preliminary round was played for only a set with the first team reaching 30 points declared as winner.

Meanwhile, Murcia Women’s Volleyball Team salvaged a bronze medal finish in the competition after defeating Zone 10 Talisay City in the battle-for-third place contest./ASC, WDJ