The NU Lady Bulldogs will enter the Final Four with a seven-game winning streak and a twice-to-beat advantage after taking down the FEU Lady Tamaraws in straight sets in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament on Wednesday, April 24.
National University ended the second round of the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament undefeated, dominating Far Eastern University in straight sets, 25-21, 25-19, 25-22, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, April 24.
The Lady Bulldogs moved to the top of the standings after the win with a 12-2 record, while FEU, who remain in fourth, sit with a 9-5 record heading into the Final Four.
NU will await the match between De La Salle University and the University of Santo Tomas on Saturday, April 27 to determine the final rankings. Nevertheless, the Lady Bulldogs will move on with a twice-to-beat advantage.
Similar to the first and second sets, the Lady Bulldogs pulled away late in the third to secure the victory.
Down 16-19 in the third set, Chenie Tagaod scored three-straight points to tie the game for FEU.
However, NU managed to restore its lead behind an off-the-block attack by Alyssa Solomon, a kill block by Erin Pangilinan, and an attack error by Faida Bakanke on the side of the Lady Tamaraws.
Two consecutive errors trimmed NU's lead to one, but Solomon and Pangilinan came alive once more to bring the lead back to three, before Vange Alinsug sealed the win with a cross-court hit.
Solomon finished the match with 13 points built on 12 attacks and one block, while Bella Belen added 12 markers to go along with six excellent digs and eight excellent receptions.
Alinsug and Pangilinan, meanwhile, contributed 10 points in the win.
Faida Bakanke, on the other hand, led FEU with 13 points. The loss snapped the Lady Tamaraws' five-game winning streak.