By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts once again proved its steady rise as a volleyball powerhouse after its Thunderbolts squad captured the elementary girls’ volleyball crown in the Bacolod City Division Meet at the Montalbo Gym in Bacolod City yesterday.
The Thunderbolts dominated the field from start to finish, sweeping all their matches in the elimination round to establish themselves early as tournament favorites.
Their opening-day triumph over Mandalagan Elementary School set the tone for the campaign, followed by decisive victories against Apolinario Mabini Elementary School and Handumanan Elementary School.
Their flawless run continued in the semifinals, where they displayed poise and consistency in dispatching Elimia J. Garcia Elementary School to secure a spot in the championship match.
A familiar rival awaited them in the finals, as Mandalagan Elementary School earned a rematch for the title.
But Tay Tung stood firm, riding crisp execution and cohesive team play to control the match and secure the division crown without dropping a set in the tournament.
The title-winning roster was composed of rising standouts Mhegan Ordaniel, Samantha Valenciano, Chloe Depalubos, Janselle Peromingan, Andrea Lorainne Lim, Andrea Zedd Chua, Jeydi Crystal Panisales, Dubhe Medina, Cielo Palabrica, Xyriz Cañete, Sofia Miralles, Micayla Gonzales, Ariana Jen Barredo, Ayanna Tiu, and Ylijah Maestrecampo.
Head coach Biboy Calamba praised his young squad for their dedication and steady progress throughout the meet.
“The girls worked extremely hard for this. Their discipline and continuous improvement were big factors in this championship,” Calamba said.
With the city title secured, the Thunderbolts earned a berth in the regional meet, where they are expected to encounter stiffer competition from other top-performing schools across Western Visayas.
A strong showing at regionals could place the team on track for national-level opportunities, further showcasing the program’s success in developing young volleyball talent./ASC, WDJ