By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts volleyball team added another trophy to its collection after ruling the 42nd Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural Educational Association (NOPSSCEA) Aspirants Girls Volleyball Tournament at the University of St. La Salle Gym in Bacolod City on Sunday, March 19.
The Thunderbolts completed a perfect run in the tournament after defeating Trinity Christian School in the championship match behind the exploits of Alexa Bertolano and national U-18 girls’ volleyball team member Jan Rose Bulak.
Also part of the squad were Aiyana Beatrice Reales, Remiah Caitlin Espinosa, Brianna Nikola Ang, Ana Ysabelle Hermosura, Vianna Estrella, Edz Karylle Escultura, and Alaica Faith Lachica.
Completing the Thunderbolts aspirants team were Janiyah Joy Lagulao, Athena Danielle Magbanua, Kara Sophia Feril, Jamyl Montalbo, Czarina Marcella Dosayla, and Shannen Bañas.
The Thunderbolts, which was mentored by Roberto Calamba, Jr. and assistants Ralph Savellano and Judy Fernandez, swept all of their preliminary matches before defeating St. Teresita Academy in the semifinals round.
“It was a total team effort by the players,” Calamba said.
“This may be Bacolod Tay Tung’s aspirants volleyball team, but the players have displayed hunger and desire to win the entire tournament,” he added.
This was the Thunderbolts girls’ volleyball squad’s third NOPSSCEA championship this season after retaining their secondary girls’ category title and also ruling the elementary girls’ tournament.
Meanwhile, St. John’s Institute (SJI) Baby Falcons, ended with the Aspirants Division bronze medal trophy in the division after defeating St. Teresita Academy in the battle-for-third place game.
In the NOPSSCEA 10-Under Girls Volleyball category, SJI Baby Falcons extended their reign to five consecutive seasons after beating Bacolod Tay Tung High School in the finals.
The Sheryl Laborte-mentored 10-Under Baby Falcons cruised to a dominant 25-13 win over Bacolod Tay Tung in the first set before closing the championship game with a 25-20 victory in the second set./ASC, WDJ