By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts volleyball team added another trophy to their collection after ruling the 44th NOPSSCEA Aspirants Girls Volleyball Tournament held at the Montalbo Gym in Bacolod City.

The Thunderbolts completed a perfect run in the tournament after defeating St. John’s Institute-Bacolod in the championship match, 25-16, 26-24, behind the efforts of team captain Kara Feril.

Also part of the Thunderbolts squad are Memielle Letran, Samantha Cañete, Marishka Andrada, Maria Shannen Bañas, Luchi Vivero, Athena Magbanua, and Zelver Banguiao.

Completing the Bacolod Tay Tung aspirants roster are Nicole Getino, Jessica Soco, Jemimah Calvo, Kyana Cortez, Ariane Mae Alayon, Xad Española, and Yeriel Zafina Montalbo.

The Thunderbolts, who were handled by head coach Roemel Taniñas, swept all of their preliminary round matches and also won their semifinals match.

“It was a total team effort by the players. Our holdovers stepped up offensively for the team, but the other players also had their contributions,” Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo said.

“This may be Bacolod Tay Tung High School’s aspirant volleyball team, but the players have displayed hunger and desire to win the entire tournament and are showing that they are ready to move up to the juniors team,” he added.

Overall, this was the Thunderbolts’ fifth consecutive NOPSSCEA Aspirants Girls Volleyball title, including two championships prior to the COVID-19 pandemic./ASC, WDJ