By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts completed its dominance in the 2023 Palarong Panlalawigan volleyball after ruling the girls’ secondary and elementary category at the University of St. La Salle Gym in Bacolod City over the weekend.

The high school Thunderbolts, led by veteran setter Katherine Cortez, captured its fourth consecutive secondary girls’ volleyball championship after defeating the Cadiz City squad in the championship match.

Also part of the high school Thunderbolts were Dona Mae de Leon, Mary Antonette Bontia, Alijah Ysulan, Alex Montoro, Jihan Chuatico, and sisters Jothea Mae and Joenil Ramos.

Completing the Thunderbolts roster were Ilonggas Ana Francessca Hermosura and Camila Amor Bartolome, as well as Patricia Grace Hiponia and Rhose Viane Almendralejo.

The Ian Mondia Macariola-mentored Thunderbolts had a perfect 3-0 win-loss record in the preliminary round to reach the championship round along with no. 2 ranked squad Cadiz City.

Meanwhile, the 12-Under Thunderbolts took home the girls’ elementary division championship after scoring a come-from-behind 20-25, 25-12, 25-6 victory over the Silay City squad.

Leading the charge for the 12-Under Thunderbolts were Arianne Alayon, Marishka Andrada, Czarina Ang, Samantha Cañete, Maria Shania Coronica, and Adriana Kaye Escultura.

Completing the squad of head coach Roberto Calamba, Jr. were Adriel Beatrice Montalbo, Yerief Zafina Montalbo, Miley Panganiban, Jessica Jane Soco, Sheree Uy, and Mary Wongyan.

With their respective championships, the two Thunderbolts volleyball squads will advance to the Regional Meet, which is slated from April 24 onwards in Aklan, for a chance to represent the region in Palarong Pambansa.

“This is just the start for us, we will not waste time and immediately go to work for the regionals,” Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo said.

“The team will definitely prepare hard to represent the region again in the nationals,” he added./ASC, WDJ