By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The National University-Nazareth School (NUNS) leaned on the steady all-around play of Diza Berayo to clinch its second straight win in the UAAP Season 88 high school girls’ volleyball tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

Berayo powered the defending champions Lady Bullpups with 10 points on seven attacks and three aces, while also collecting six digs, as they swept De La Salle-Zobel (DLSZ), 25-15, 25-16, 25-17.

The third set proved decisive with Berayo catching fire from the service line, delivering four aces in a seven-point run that restored NUNS’ control after DLSZ threatened to rally.

Akeyla Bartolabac then added the finishing touches before Ysabella Cruz and Micaella Gould teamed up for the match-clinching block.

“Maganda ‘yung start namin pero importante every game, nakikita ko na nag-i-improve kami individually and as a group … Kahit sinong team [ang makakalaban namin], basta ang importante ‘yung galaw namin,” NUNS head coach Karl Dimaculangan said.

Bartolabac backed Berayo with nine points, while Slash Obera and Cruz added seven apiece.

Jelliane Laborte topscored for the Junior Lady Spikers, who fell to 1-1.

Earlier, Adamson overpowered the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 25-12, 25-19, 25-11, with Francheska Adem scoring eight points, including three service aces in the third set.

In other matches, University of Santo Tomas swept Ateneo, 25-10, 25-6, 25-18, behind Erin Sotto’s 10 points, while Far Eastern University-Diliman downed University of the East, 25-9, 25-17, 25-17, as Aleah Devosora exploded for 21 points on 16 service aces./ASC, WDJ