Other schools are giving the National University quite a challenge.
With just over a week left in the first round of the UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball, other schools are giving the National University Lady Bulldogs a challenge based on the statistics after the March 12 matches.
Top Scorer: Alyssa Solomon (NU)
But give credit where credit is due, defending champions' Alyssa Solomon leads all scorers with 90 points coming off 81 spikes, 4 blocks, and 4 aces. But there are plenty nipping at her heels.
De La Salle Lady Spikers' super rookie Angel Canino and the University of Sto. Tomas Golden Tigresses' top spiker Eya Laure are tied for second with 77 points. Adamson Lady Falcons' Trisha Tubu has 76, while Ateneo Blue Eagles' Faith Nisperos has 71.
Top Spikers
Individual: Alyssa Solomon (NU)
Team: National University
Solomon
is also the top spiker among all players so far with a 41.97% success rate, followed by Canino, the University of the East Lady Red Warriors' Vanessa Bangayan, Adamson's Kate Santiago, and the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws' Jovelyn Fernandez.
On the whole, NU (4-1) is just above Adamson (4-1) in the spiking department with 35.23% and 34.22% respectively.
Top Blockers
Individual: Niña Ytang (UP)
Team: De La Salle University
Flowers though would have to be given to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroon Niña Ytang, as the middle blocker is averaging 0.78 per set.
As a team though, DLSU (5-0) stands high above the rest with an average of 2.94 blocks per set, thanks to Season 84 Best Middle Blocker Thea Gagate and teammate Jolina Dela Cruz, who are placed second and third in the rankings. Leila Cruz also figures in the top 10 at sixth place.
Top Servers
Individual: Marionne Alba (DLSU)
Team: National University
The competition at the service line is a tight one, but DLSU's Marionne Alba edges everyone out so far with an average of 0.53 per set.
However, the Lady Bulldogs are simply aces with five players in the top ten--Sheena Toring, Princess Robles, Camilla Lamina, Erin Pangilinan and Evangeline Alinsug. That's a team average of 2.35 per set compared to DLSU's 2.00.
Top Diggers
Individual: Marga Encarnacion (FEU)
Team: Far Eastern University
Coach Tina Salak's relentless discipline is proving to deliver as libero Marga Encarnacion leads all players in digging, with an average of 4.11 per set. Thanks to her, FEU (2-3) as a whole leads all squads with an average of 14.58 excellent digs per set. DLSU is a far second with 11.76.
Top Setters
Individual: Louie Romero (AdU)
Team: National University
DLSU interim coach Noel Orcullo hailed Adamson's Louie Romero as a dangerous setter and he wasn't kidding. The Lady Falcon is the master orchestrator with an average of 5.33 excellent sets per frame.
NU though is the top dog so far in setting with an average of 5.75 per set, thanks to Camille Lamina and Joyme Cagande. But Adamson is at a very, very close second with 5.72.
Top Receivers
Individual: Karen Verdeflor (AdU)
Team: National University
Perhaps what makes Romero's job easier is libero Karen Verdeflor's excellent receives, which stands at an impressive 54.32% efficiency. Kate Santiago and Lucille Almonte have also been notable in receptions, as they round up the top 10.
NU though is still number one with a 37.46% efficiency, thanks to Season 84 Best Libero Jen Nierva and reigning Most Valuable Player Mhicaela Belen.
We're only nearing the end of the first round. Teams could only improve further as they head to the second. And as NU's sole loss has shown, no one is safe this Season 85.