Australian Volleyroos ace Caitlin Tipping has nothing but praise for Sisi Rondina and Alas Pilipinas, following their clashes in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.
Victories and defeats often shape narratives in sports. But sometimes, it's the admiration and respect shared between athletes that resonate the most.
Such is the case with Caitlin Tipping, the hard-hitting ace of the Australian Volleyroos.
Despite losing twice and eventually surrendering the bronze medal to the Philippines in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup, Tipping found herself in awe of the Filipinas and the legion of supporters behind them.
“They’re so good. They are really, really good. They deserve to win. I was disappointed when I didn’t see them get in the finals, but was ecstatic to be able to play against them again,” Tipping, the reigning AVC Challenge Cup Best Outside Hitter, told One Sports.
[ALSO READ: Alas Pilipinas repeat over Australia to net historic bronze medal in AVC Challenge Cup]
“Watching them play, watching their supporters come here today and support them, it’s an unreal experience to have and something that we don’t have in Australia. To be around this is super eye-opening for us.”
At the heart of Tipping's admiration was Sisi Rondina.
Standing at a modest 5-foot-6, the high-flying Filipina defied the odds and towered in spirit.
Even when faced with much taller foes, Rondina refused to yield, demonstrating a spirited scoring prowess that commanded respect from adversaries like Tipping.
“It would have to be Sisi, for sure,” Tipping admitted, reflecting on who left the most lasting impression during their clashes against Alas.
“She is just so good, The way that she never stops fighting is incredible. It’s something that I aspire to be and to play like myself.”
When asked for her assessment of her fellow all-AVC awardee Jia De Guzman, the Alas Pilipinas captain who earned the Best Setter recognition, Tipping also had nothing but praise.
[ALSO READ: Jia De Guzman reflects on path to Best Setter award as Alas Pilipinas shine in AVC Challenge Cup]
“She’s so good. She controls the team. She sets the plays and allows her players to shine. She definitely did that this tournament in each game. Props to her for allowing her team to score,” she shared.
At the end of the day, the Volleyroos may have settled for fourth place, but Tipping believes this is already a big accomplishment for Australia.
“Obviously we wanted to walk away with a medal, but we haven’t gotten this far in an Asian tournament since 1979. So, without a medal, it is still an accomplishment. We got to walk away really happy,”
“I’m really proud of ourselves, and as a team, we just have to be okay with that this time and next year come out even better.”