The Lady Bulldogs swept the competition during a pre-season tournament. Is this a sign of things to come?
The champion mindset, apparently, is not to think of defending the crown at all.
For National University Lady Bulldogs coach Karl Dimaculangan, the goal for the defending champions is growth.
"Ang mindset kasi ng team ngayon is hindi kung paano idedefend [yung title] but kung papaano kami mag-iimprove sa skill or sa gameplay na ginagawa namin," Dimaculangan told the media during the UAAP Season 85 volleyball tournament press conference on Wednesday. "Focus lang kami more on the day-by-day. Ineexpect namin yung season na 'to magiging mas mahirap and more exciting."
With pre-pandemic protocols back in place for the volleyball tournament, all eight squads had plenty of time to prepare for the season.
Asked whether which team would be considered the team to beat, all coaches refused to single out a single squad, considering everyone to be worthy opponents. But if the 2022 Shakey's Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship is any indication, teams have yet to find the key to lock in the Lady Bulldogs.
Just like in Season 84, NU swept the pre-season competition. Just like in Season 84, the NU Lady Bulldogs took down the La Salle Lady Spikers, 3-0. One thing did change though, opposite spiker Alyssa Solomon picked up the Most Valuable Player plum this time instead of Mhicaela Belen--Season 84's MVP and Rookie of the Year.
"Lahat nabigyan ng exposure," Dimaculangan said. "Lahat ng players actually, binigay nila yung best nila."
It also showed other coaches what the NU squad can do, even with five rookies to replace those who have gone on to the pros.
Last season, NU was the top squad in service--led by Bella Belen. They were also the leader in spiking, with Alyssa Solomon's 38.98% success rate. The Lady Bulldogs were also the best in setting, as shown by Camilla Lamina's average of 5.81 per set. NU also made sure to deliver a good first ball, topping the league in receives, with libero Jen Nierva having 55.96% efficiency at the end of the preliminaries.
"I think yung biggest lesson from last season is the relationship of the team, how we play inside the court," she said. "Also yung hard work, and yung hindi kami nagse-settle sa kung ano yung piner-perform namin."
NU will have to do it all over again this Saturday, when they face third ranked Ateneo at 2 PM inside the Mall of Asia Arena.